Q COSTA RICA — Amid escalating political tensions in Nicaragua, public statements by four former Costa Rican presidents have strengthened international condemnation of Daniel Ortega’s regime.
The former Costa Rican leaders described the direction Ortega has taken for Nicaragua as dictatorial, following Ortega’s assertion that no more elections will be held.
The Costa Rican leaders warned of the consolidation of an authoritarian regime in Managua.
The last time Daniel Ortega relinquished the presidency of Nicaragua was in 1990, after losing to Violeta Barrios de Chamorro. Chamorro’s daughter, Cristiana, who now lives in exile, challenged Ortega in the 2021 elections, was disqualified, and placed under house arrest. Since February 9, 2023, she’s been living in the United States after being suddenly taken from her home and flown out alongside 221 other political prisoners.
Among the voices speaking out against Ortega’s plans to eliminate elections is Laura Chinchilla (2010-2014). The former president pointed to the open display of absolute power by Ortega, who has been at the helm of Nicaragua for almost 20 years.
Chinchilla stated that “his power, obtained through fraud and repression, already spoke of his intention to perpetuate himself,” as quoted by Artículo 66. She emphasized her concern about the normalcy with which the international community accepts these types of practices and warned about the risk that other Central American leaders will replicate the authoritarian model.
Luis Guillermo Solís (2014-2018) also joined the criticism in a post from his official account. “Now that should be clear to all those who said, out of opportunism, pragmatism, or ignorance, that Nicaragua has (and will forever have, according to the Commander) the government ‘that its people have chosen,’” Solís stated in remarks reported by Costa Rican media.
The former Costa Rican president also warned that this phenomenon transcends Nicaraguan borders and reflects the global expansion of authoritarianism, autocracy, and contempt for pluralism and democratic and republican values. “We live in times where attacks against the judicial branch, terrorist attacks, the constant delegitimization of the media, and denialist religious fanaticism prevail,” Solís pointed out.
This chorus of voices was joined by two-time president Óscar Arias (1986-1990 and 2006-2010), and winner of the 1987 Nobel Peace Prize, recalled that Ortega has cultivated an authoritarian vision since the 1980s. According to Arias, the idea of remaining in power without elections has been a constant in the Nicaraguan president’s political strategy.
Former President Rodrigo Chaves (2022-2026) reiterated that Costa Rica maintains its democratic commitment and the holding of free elections. “Thank God,” he said, “Costa Rica is a democracy, and there will always be elections.” “God willing,” Chaves told local media after a parliamentary meeting. Chaves’s party proposed a formal condemnation of Ortega in response to his recent statements.
The current Costa Rican government of Laura Fernández’s reaction was more measured.
Condemnations in the Region
International rejection of Nicaragua’s authoritarian drift was expressed in diplomatic condemnations from Central American countries—Costa Rica, Panama, and Guatemala—and the United States.
In the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic recalled its ambassador from Managua for consultations, while Chile, Bolivia, and Peru issued critical statements. The Brazilian government, for its part, expressed concern about the situation, albeit in a more nuanced tone.
Nicaragua’s National Assembly, dominated by the ruling party, the FSLN (Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional), is preparing a package of reforms to be presented next month, with the aim of consolidating its grip on power after two decades of Ortega’s presidency.
This scenario has reinforced the perception of a political crisis with regional implications and fueled the debate about the risks of authoritarianism in Latin America.