OAS secretary general: “We have a political disaster in Nicaragua”

Albert Ramdin, secretary general of the Organization of American States, says Nicaragua’s political crisis demands more than diplomatic symbolism. He is calling on governments across the hemisphere to act together with concrete measures against Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo’s government.

In an interview with Confidencial’s Esta Semana program, Ramdin described the situation as “a political disaster in Nicaragua.” The interview aired on the outlet’s YouTube channel because of television censorship in Nicaragua.

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We have a political disaster in Nicaragua.

Ramdin said the constitutional reform promoted by the government is aimed at dismantling political participation by the opposition. He also criticized Ortega’s announcement that Nicaragua would no longer hold elections, saying no president has the right to take away citizens’ right to vote.

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We hope that the ministers, beyond symbolism, can take individual and collective decisions to punish Nicaragua and exert more pressure.

The OAS has proposed a meeting of foreign ministers for Sept. 17, 2026, to address Nicaragua collectively. Ramdin said he hoped the meeting would produce decisions that increase political and diplomatic pressure, rather than merely offer symbolic statements.

He said the goal should include creating a better political environment, freeing political prisoners, respecting human rights and expanding civic space for freedom of expression. Ramdin also argued that Nicaragua’s membership status in the OAS should not determine whether the hemisphere responds, because Nicaraguans remain part of the Western Hemisphere.

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We hope to create a better environment, release political prisoners, respect people's human rights and also expand civic space for freedom of expression.