Today, Nicaragua is the most authoritarian regime in the Western Hemisphere. After nearly twenty years in power, President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Rosario Murillo, have transformed the state into a tightly controlled apparatus, consolidating authority over all branches of government and the security forces. They have also advanced a mechanism of state capture that prioritizes kleptocracy over economic and social inclusion. In doing so, Nicaragua has politically isolated itself from the Western Hemisphere’s community of democracies.

What are the implications of this political strategy for Nicaraguans? Can hemispheric cooperation help put Nicaragua back on a democratic path?

Join the Inter-American Dialogue in-person or online for a conversation on September 10 from 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM ET to address the current political situation in Nicaragua and the role of the Organization of American States in promoting a democratic transition, as the organization gears up for a forthcoming special meeting of foreign ministers.