WASHINGTON, United States, July 21, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday condemned Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega's vow to block any elections to prevent the opposition from taking office, after almost two decades in power.

"Daniel Ortega's declaration that under his family's dictatorship Nicaragua will never again hold elections lays bare their true authoritarian nature," 
Rubio said in a statement.

"The Nicaraguan people have the right to choose their own leaders through democratic elections," Rubio added, calling on the international community to 
"join forces" to demonstrate to the Nicaraguan "dictatorship that it cannot expect to maintain business as usual."

Ortega, 80, has been in power since 2007 following elections questioned by the international community.

He is widely accused of acting harshly to crush dissent and remain in power in the poor Central American country.

Speaking Sunday, at an event marking the 47th anniversary of the Sandinista revolution in the country's capital Managua, Ortega said: "They better forget 
it, here in Nicaragua there will be no more elections so they can try to grab the government and seize power."

Nicaragua was due to hold general elections in November, but a year and a half ago constitutional reforms extended the presidential term from five to 
six years, meaning the elections are now scheduled for 2027.

Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo have ruled Nicaragua for nearly two decades with absolute power. They have kept a tight grip on society since a 
harsh crackdown on protests in 2018 left more than 300 people dead, according to the UN.