Background on Key Figures and Context
Daniel Ortega, a former guerrilla leader, has been in power since 2007 alongside his wife, Rosario Murillo. The couple has been accused by opposition and critics of establishing an authoritarian regime. Following the 2018 protests, which resulted in over 300 deaths according to the UN, Ortega and Murillo have intensified their stances and increased control over Nicaraguan society. They attribute these protests to a failed U.S.-backed coup attempt.
Constitutional Reform and Its Implications
On Friday, Nicaragua’s National Assembly approved a constitutional reform that abolishes dual nationality. This change means that Nicaraguans who acquire another citizenship will lose their Nicaraguan nationality. The reform was unanimously passed during a special session in Niquinohomo, following an initiative from the presidential couple.
According to the National Assembly, the reform stipulates that acquiring another nationality and pledging allegiance to a foreign state “breaks the legal and moral link with Nicaragua.” It further argues that “there can be no double loyalty; the homeland demands exclusive commitment.”
Additionally, the constitutional changes state that foreigners seeking Nicaraguan nationality must renounce their original citizenship, with exceptions made for Central American nationals.
Impact on Opposition and Critics
The Ortega-Murillo government has stripped hundreds of opposition members and critics of their Nicaraguan nationality after expelling them from the country in recent years. This constitutional reform is expected to further marginalize and isolate these individuals, reinforcing the couple’s control over Nicaraguan society.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main change brought by this constitutional reform? The reform abolishes dual nationality in Nicaragua, meaning that anyone acquiring another citizenship will lose their Nicaraguan nationality.
- Who are the key figures behind this decision? The constitutional reform was approved by Nicaragua’s National Assembly at the request of Presidential Couple Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo.
- What is the rationale behind this decision? According to Ortega and Murillo, acquiring another nationality and pledging allegiance to a foreign state breaks the legal and moral link with Nicaragua, demanding exclusive commitment to the homeland.
- Who is affected by this reform? The reform primarily impacts Nicaraguan opposition members and critics who have been expelled from the country in recent years. It also affects foreigners seeking Nicaraguan nationality, who must now renounce their original citizenship.
