Nicaragua to Approve ‘Patch’ to ‘Chamuca’ Constitution on Sept. 21

Nicaragua’s National Assembly is set to approve the first stage of a constitutional reform that critics describe as another patch to the country’s “Chamuca” charter. Assembly President Gustavo Porras said lawmakers would vote on Sept. 21, 2026.

Porras made the announcement during a special session in northern Nicaragua on Aug. 29. He said consultations on the amendments were expected to finish by Sept. 1. The reform must pass in two separate legislatures, including the next session running from Jan. 9 to Dec. 15, 2027, before it can take effect.

The proposed changes, promoted by Daniel Ortega, would extend the mandate of the ruling leadership and its closest operators. They would also exclude opposition figures stripped of their nationality from elections, labeling them “traitors to the homeland.” Ortega, a former Sandinista guerrilla who has governed since 2007, said on July 19 that Nicaragua would not hold elections again.

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On September 21, we will approve the reform to the Constitution that we have been working on.

Rosario Murillo said more than 200,000 people took part in consultations held in person and online between July 27 and Aug. 27. The account highlighted the participation of the Ortega-Murillo family, including their children, who spoke for investors, Sandinista communicators, entrepreneurs and athletes.

The announcement came a week after the Organization of American States called an urgent foreign ministers’ meeting on Nicaragua. Costa Rica, the United States, Panama, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Chile, Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, the European Union, Uruguay, OAS Secretary General Alberto Ramdin and U.N. human rights chief Volker Türk have expressed concern or opposition to Ortega’s remarks. The OAS meeting is scheduled for Sept. 17, while a U.S. House subcommittee is due to discuss Nicaragua on Sept. 15.

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There will be no more elections in the country.