Nicaragua's National Assembly accepts resignation of top judge amid purge

Nicaragua's National Assembly, under the control of the ruling Sandinista party, has formally accepted the "resignation" of Alba Luz Ramos from her position as president of the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ). The move comes amid a significant purge within the country's judicial institutions, reportedly directed by "co-president" Rosario Murillo.

Ramos, a magistrate who had been absent from public life for nearly three years, cited health reasons for her decision to step down. Her departure was formalized through a publication in La Gaceta on August 28, 2026. However, her absence from public duties began much earlier, with reports from CONFIDENCIAL indicating she was forcibly removed from her CSJ office by police on October 24, 2023.

The article suggests that Ramos's "resignation" is part of a larger consolidation of power by Murillo within what is now termed the Judicial Branch. This follows a period where the regime had presented former Attorney General Ana Julia Guido as "president by law" during constitutional reform consultations, although this appointment was never officially confirmed.

In May 2026, state-controlled media circulated a letter from Ramos intended to refute rumors about her alleged clandestine departure from the country or detention of her family members. This letter was published after speculation intensified regarding her status and whereabouts.

Ramos's "resignation" marks another significant development in Nicaragua's political landscape, where judicial independence has been increasingly questioned. The circumstances surrounding her departure and the ongoing purge within the judiciary raise further concerns about the rule of law in the country.