Nicaragua's Dictatorial Regime Secures 4th Term... Could US-Russia Conflict Escalate?

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] As Daniel Ortega, President of Nicaragua, extends his term, concerns about closer ties with Russia are emerging. Attention is focused on whether this will escalate into a new front of conflict between the United States, which has hinted at strong sanctions against the Nicaraguan dictatorship, and Russia.

According to the Nicaraguan Electoral Council on the 8th (local time), 50% of the votes from the presidential election held the previous day in Nicaragua have been counted. Although the vote count status has not been disclosed, preliminary results show President Ortega securing more than 75% of the votes, making his victory certain. With this, President Ortega, who nominated his wife Rosario Murillo as the vice-presidential candidate, has effectively succeeded in his fifth term and fourth consecutive term, extending the couple’s joint presidential and vice-presidential rule for another five years.

Ortega, who overthrew the pro-American Anastasio Somoza dictatorship in 1979 and was first elected president in 1984, lost a re-election bid once in 1990 but has been in long-term power since 2007. With this election, his term is extended until 2027, opening the path for 20 consecutive years in power.

Foreign media reported that this election recorded the lowest voter turnout in history at 60%. The Associated Press reported that contrary to President Ortega’s claim of high turnout, there were no long lines at polling stations. Even before the presidential election, the Ortega regime detained 40 opposition figures, including seven major presidential candidates, and blocked party participation, leading to criticism that the election was manipulated as a "fake election" and a "fraudulent election."

Daniel Ortega, President of Nicaragua (right in the photo), and his wife and Vice President, Rosario Murillo. (Photo by AFP)

The international community poured out criticism following the news of Ortega’s re-election. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that day, "The Nicaraguan election is undemocratic," and added, "We do not recognize the governing authority of President Ortega and Vice President Murillo."

He continued, "We will continue to appropriately use diplomacy, joint actions with allies, sanctions, and visa restrictions to hold accountable those who support the undemocratic actions of the Nicaraguan regime."

Blinken’s statement followed a statement by U.S. President Joe Biden issued the previous day. President Biden harshly criticized, saying, "President Ortega and Vice President Murillo orchestrated a pantomime election that was neither free, fair, nor democratic."

Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, also stated on behalf of the 27 member countries that "the Nicaraguan government has deprived its people of the right to elect their representatives," and hinted at strengthening sanctions by saying, "The EU will consider all available means for additional measures."

The Spanish government also condemned the election, saying, "This election is nothing more than a mockery that does not reflect the true will of the people and creates a false image of a Central American country trapped in an oppressive and authoritarian regime."

The United States is closely monitoring the possibility that Nicaragua, which is almost isolated in the international community, may forge closer ties with Russia or China.

According to the British Guardian, after the Nicaraguan presidential election ended that day, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated, "The (Nicaraguan presidential) election was conducted according to the law," and added, "It is unacceptable for Western countries to deny the election results."

President Ortega also strongly opposed the U.S. sanctions moves. He accused the United States of interfering in Central American countries’ elections, claimed that last year’s U.S. presidential election was fraudulent, and called the rioters who led the January Capitol riot terrorists, standing firm against the U.S.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.