Nicaragua

The author quit drinking two and a half years ago while on vacation with his family in Nicaragua. Although adjusting to social situations without alcohol was awkward, the changes included improved sleep, increased energy, fading cravings for unhealthy foods, and an overall improvement in mood. The decision to quit came spontaneously after realizing alcohol was softening the edges of his days.

Nicaragua's legislature is advancing a constitutional reform to extend the presidential term from six to seven renewable years, consolidating power for co-presidents Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo. The reform has drawn sharp international condemnation.

Nicaragua's National Assembly is considering a constitutional reform to extend the presidential term from six to seven years on a renewable basis and impose restrictions on government opponents. The bill is expected to be voted on in early September.

Daniel Ortega aims to bar 'traitors' from future elections in Nicaragua. He has overseen a sweeping crackdown on civil society and concentrated power in his own hands.

Nicaragua's National Assembly is advancing reforms that restrict exiled opponents, including a constitutional change ending dual citizenship in January 2026. The reform causes Nicaraguans to lose their nationality upon acquiring another, with Central Americans being the only exemption.

The 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention is marked as challenges to its principles grow, with countries denying asylum seekers entry and over 41 million forcibly displaced people worldwide. Six refugees, including Rohingya from Myanmar and a Nicaraguan human rights lawyer, share their struggles amid ongoing conflicts and policy shifts under leaders like U.S. President Donald Trump.

The 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention highlights its role in protecting people fleeing war and persecution, but challenges include strained adherence by countries and U.S. policies under Donald Trump sending asylum seekers to third countries. Over 41 million refugees remain displaced, with six refugees sharing their experiences of persecution and reliance on the treaty.

Colombia's president-elect, Abelardo de la Espriella, announced plans to close embassies in 14 countries and sever diplomatic relations with Cuba and Nicaragua, which he labeled as 'tyrannies.' The decision will take effect after his August 7 inauguration.

Colombia's incoming president will close 14 embassies and downgrade ties with Cuba and Nicaragua, redirecting savings to security. The cuts are framed as a measure to reallocate resources to security priorities.

Ortega announced the end of elections in Nicaragua, highlighting the decreasing influence of pro-democracy movements in Latin America.

Nicaragua's parliament plans to eliminate elections, aligning with President Daniel Ortega's declaration that there will be no future elections. The move aims to consolidate Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo's control over political institutions by removing electoral challenges.

Nicaragua’s parliament plans to abolish elections following President Daniel Ortega’s order, a move that has drawn criticism. Lawmakers stated they will implement the plan, which involves removing elections in the country.

Nicaragua’s parliament, under President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo, plans to abolish elections via a constitutional overhaul, prompting international criticism from the UN and the U.S. The move aims to extend Ortega’s rule and eliminate opposition, following a 2018 crackdown on dissent.

The U.S. State Department condemned Nicaraguan co-president Daniel Ortega for declaring the country will no longer hold elections, calling the move authoritarian. Ortega, who has ruled Nicaragua for nearly 20 years, eliminated future elections to prevent opposition parties from gaining power, a decision criticized as abandoning democratic processes.

The State Department condemned Nicaragua's co-president for declaring the country will no longer hold elections, accusing Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo of abandoning democratic processes and authoritarian rule. Ortega, a former leader of the Sandinista National Liberation Front, has consolidated power since 2016, including creating a co-presidency for his wife and suppressing opposition.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned the US will not stand idly by after Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega announced that Nicaragua will no longer hold elections. Rubio called on the international community to respond to the Nicaraguan government's actions against democratic principles in the hemisphere.

Nicaragua's President Ortega has announced there will be no more elections in the country. He aims to eliminate the possibility of electoral challenges when his term ends next year.

Nicaragua’s President Daniel Ortega announced the country will no longer hold elections, eliminating electoral challenges to his rule. This decision entrenches his power, which he has held since 2007 and previously in the 1980s.

Nicaraguan leader Daniel Ortega stated the country will no longer hold elections, closing avenues for opposition to challenge his government. Ortega and Rosario Murillo have consolidated power through constitutional changes and control over political institutions, prompting U.S. sanctions and criticism from international bodies.

A long-serving president states that elections will no longer occur. The article references President Daniel Ortega attending a meeting of the Bolivarian Alliance.

Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega announced the country will not hold elections anytime soon, reflecting his effort to extend his nearly 20-year rule.

Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega has announced no elections will be held, extending his nearly 20-year rule. The cancellation of the 2027 elections, following a constitutional term extension, has drawn criticism from opposition groups and international observers, who view the move as consolidating authoritarian control.

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega stated the country will no longer hold elections as a means for the opposition to gain power. He made the declaration during an event commemorating the 47th anniversary of the Sandinista uprising that overthrew Anastasio Somoza Debayle in 1979.

Nicaragua’s exports reached $5.09 billion in the first half of 2026, a 17.3% increase from the same period in 2025, driven by gold exports. This marks the first time first-half sales have exceeded $5 billion.

Nicaragua has stripped lawyers of their certification as part of a crackdown on dissent. The government of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo faces accusations of human rights abuses against critics.

Nicaragua's government has removed thousands of lawyers' licenses without explanation, described by a U.N. expert as a purge targeting dissent. This follows years of suppressing dissent through imprisonment, citizenship revocations, and closing organizations, including religious and civic groups.

Rare back-to-back deadly earthquakes hit Venezuela, killing and injuring hundreds. The article lists some of the deadliest earthquakes in Latin America over the past century, including events in Mexico, Ecuador, Chile, Peru, and others with significant death tolls.

Venezuela experienced two deadly earthquakes, resulting in hundreds of casualties. The article lists some of the most significant and deadly earthquakes in Latin America over the past century, including events in Mexico, Ecuador, Chile, Peru, and other countries with varying death tolls.

Wilber Urbina Garcia graduated high school with honors but was detained by ICE the next day. He and his family applied for asylum after leaving Nicaragua in 2022.

Wilber Urbina Garcia graduated high school with honors and was detained by ICE the next day during a routine check-in. He and his family had applied for asylum after leaving Nicaragua in 2022.

The United States has imposed travel bans on over 100 Nicaraguan officials and their family members as part of a campaign to address human rights abuses. The sanctions follow the death of imprisoned activist Brooklyn Rivera, who criticized President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Rosario Murillo.

Tropical Storm Cristina formed in the Pacific Ocean off Nicaragua's coast with 45 mph winds, expected to bring 4-12 inches of rain to Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala. It is the second Eastern Pacific storm following Tropical Storm Boris near Mexico.

Tropical Storm Cristina has formed in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Nicaragua, as reported by forecasters. The storm is being monitored by meteorological authorities.

The United States imposed travel bans on over 100 Nicaraguan officials and their family members, citing human rights abuses. The sanctions followed the death of imprisoned activist Brooklyn Rivera, who criticized Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo. The U.S. has barred more than 2,350 Nicaraguan officials and family members from entering the country.

China is transforming a historic African slave port into a tourism hub, while mainland students are reconsidering Hong Kong due to costs and cultural fit. Additional stories cover potential US-China influence shifts in Nicaragua and the expansion of Chinese drink chains.

US President Donald Trump’s efforts to reassert US influence in Latin America have limited China’s interests in Cuba, Panama, and Venezuela. A scholar warns Nicaragua could become the next economic battleground between the US and China if China revives a proposed canal project connecting the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.

Nicaragua is trading its sovereignty and economic stability for an authoritarian survival package supported by Beijing and Moscow. The article highlights the systemic exchange of national interests for backing from these foreign powers.

Indigenous leader Brooklyn Rivera died in detention in Nicaragua. He was detained by the country's government in 2023 on undisclosed charges.

Brooklyn Rivera, 73, an indigenous leader in Nicaragua, died after three years in prison. Rights groups have condemned his death, attributing it to arbitrary detention by the governing regime.

Nicaragua has confirmed the death in custody of Indigenous leader Brooklyn Rivera, who was detained for nearly three years without contact with the outside world. Advocates expressed concerns about his welfare during his detention.