«Authoritarianism in Nicaragua has reached another level. Can they strip you of your citizenship? If a Nicaraguan obtains another citizenship, will they cease to be Nicaraguan? This proposal, promoted by the Executive, now has the backing of the Legislature, the National Assembly, which is the equivalent of a congress or parliament. In other words, there is no real opposition.
These kinds of measures, stripping a citizen of their passport, initially happened to those who were openly opposed to the regime. But now, it goes beyond political or ideological reasons. What if a Nicaraguan, for example, has Italian or Spanish ancestry, or travels for work, wins a scholarship, or gets a promotion? Then, you’re either Nicaraguan, or you’re nothing else. This is reaching another level.
It’s a country that persecutes the opposition and placed the First Lady as Vice President.»
The regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo in Nicaragua has approved a constitutional reform that eliminates the possibility of dual citizenship for Nicaraguan nationals. According to the amendment of Articles 23 and 25 of the Constitution, any Nicaraguan who acquires another citizenship will automatically lose their Nicaraguan nationality.
This measure has raised concerns both nationally and internationally, as it affects thousands of Nicaraguans who have emigrated in search of better opportunities and could now find themselves in legal limbo after losing their original nationality. Furthermore, there are fears that this reform will be used as a tool to silence opposition voices and further consolidate the regime’s authoritarian power.
The international community and human rights organizations have expressed alarm over this decision, stating that it represents a violation of fundamental rights and a strategy to suppress political dissent. The reform still requires a second approval in the next legislative session to come into full effect.
In summary, the elimination of dual citizenship in Nicaragua is seen as yet another step in the erosion of civil and political liberties in the country, directly impacting citizens who seek to improve their quality of life beyond national borders.
