Since Daniel Ortega’s return to power in 2007, Nicaragua has experienced a steady concentration of authority in the executive, alongside the erosion of political competition and the systematic dismantling of independent institutions. Civil society organizations and independent media have been effectively shut down or forced into exile, while the government has relied on systematic repression, including the widespread use of arbitrary detention and imprisonment of political opponents.

These dynamics intensified following the April 2018 protests against the government of President Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo, marking a shift toward more overt and sustained repression. Closer ties with China and Russia have provided the government with alternative sources of economic, diplomatic, and security support, reinforcing its ability to sustain this model. Together, these dynamics have contributed to broader economic strain and significant outward migration.

Often discussed as part of the region’s “troika of tyrannies,” Nicaragua’s trajectory raises important questions about governance, institutional resilience, and future political scenarios.

Join us on Tuesday, May 5 at 10:00 AM ET for an in-person discussion to examine these developments, assess their implications, and explore the roles of the United States and other international actors.