Key Facts
- ✓ The constitutional amendment to Article 23 was approved during a second legislative vote by the National Assembly, which is controlled by the ruling party.
- ✓ President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo have been in power since 2007, and this reform is seen as a move to ensure their long-term political control.
- ✓ The elimination of dual nationality follows a pattern of the government using 'de facto' measures against political opponents, including the practice of 'denationalization.'
- ✓ The reform is part of a larger, ongoing process to modify the entire Constitution of Nicaragua, which began with the announcement of this specific change in May 2025.
A Constitutional Turning Point
In a move that fundamentally alters the legal landscape for its citizens, the Nicaraguan government has officially abolished the right to dual nationality. The constitutional amendment, which took effect this week, was enacted by the National Assembly, a legislative body firmly under the control of President Daniel Ortega's ruling party.
This decision marks a critical juncture in the nation's political trajectory, representing the culmination of a reform process announced in May 2025. It is not an isolated change but rather a key component of a larger strategy to reshape the country's governing charter.
The Mechanics of Exclusion
The core of the legal change lies in the revised text of Article 23 of the Constitution. The new language is stark and unambiguous, stating: "La nacionalidad nicaragüense se perderá al adquirir otra" (Nicaraguan nationality will be lost upon acquiring another). This single sentence effectively closes the door on a practice common in many parts of the world.
The amendment was passed during a second and final legislative vote, a procedural step that solidifies its place in the nation's supreme law. The process was swift and decisive, reflecting the consolidated power of the current administration.
- Eliminates legal recognition of dual citizenship
- Applies automatically upon acquisition of foreign nationality
- Represents a significant shift in national identity law
- Passed by a legislature dominated by the ruling party
"La nacionalidad nicaragüense se perderá al adquirir otra"
— Article 23, Constitution of Nicaragua
Consolidating Power
Beyond the legal specifics, the elimination of dual nationality serves a broader political purpose. It is a cornerstone in an extensive project to modify the entire Carta Magna, designed to cement the rule of President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo. The ultimate goal appears to be ensuring their long-term permanence at the helm of the state.
The reform also carries a chilling implication for political dissent. It effectively codifies a practice the regime has already been applying de facto: the denacionalización (denationalization) of its opponents. By embedding this power within the constitution, the government transforms an extra-legal tactic into a formal state policy.
The measure is part of a process aimed at burying the remains of the separation of powers and making repressive practices constitutional.
A Pattern of Repression
This latest development fits into a wider pattern of political and social control in Nicaragua. The constitutional overhaul is not merely about nationality; it is about systematically dismantling democratic checks and balances. The move to constitutionalize repressive measures indicates a strategic effort to provide a legal veneer for actions previously taken without such grounding.
By removing the possibility of dual nationality, the state gains a powerful tool to isolate citizens and sever their legal ties to other nations. This can be particularly impactful for the political opposition, many of whom have sought refuge or support abroad. The reform effectively signals that allegiance to Nicaragua must be exclusive and absolute, as defined by the state.
The Human Cost
While the reform is presented as a legal and political matter, its consequences are deeply personal for millions of Nicaraguans. For individuals with family, business, or cultural ties to other countries, this change creates an impossible choice: renounce one's heritage or sever connections to a new home. The policy risks creating a generation of stateless individuals or forcing a painful disconnection from the global diaspora.
The full impact of this constitutional shift will unfold over time. It represents a significant narrowing of identity and belonging in Nicaragua, transforming citizenship from a right into a conditional privilege granted and revoked by the state.
Looking Ahead
The abolition of dual nationality in Nicaragua is more than a legal tweak; it is a profound statement about the direction of the country under the Ortega-Murillo regime. It solidifies a model of governance based on absolute control and the elimination of plural allegiances.
Key takeaways from this development include:
- The move formalizes the use of citizenship as a tool of political repression.
- It is part of a larger constitutional rewrite aimed at extending the current leadership's tenure.
- The reform fundamentally alters the relationship between the state and its citizens.
- International observers will be watching closely for further erosions of rights.
The world now watches to see how this constitutional transformation will affect Nicaragua's future, its people, and its place in the international community.
