Co-dictator Rosario Murillo defiantly announced that the National Assembly will present an update Saturday, Aug. 22, to “hundreds of young people from the new generations” on the “consultation” process for electoral reforms aimed at eliminating competitive elections and perpetuating the ruling couple in power.
Murillo made the announcement four hours after the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) decided to convene a meeting of foreign ministers “as soon as possible” to address the crisis in Nicaragua and consider what actions to take against the regime.
“In the halls and chambers of the National Palace, now the Palace of Culture, our National Assembly will convene alongside hundreds of courageous and determined young Nicaraguans from the new generations. Our National Assembly will present the progress made in the consultations on the electoral reforms,” the co-dictator told government-controlled media.
Related: Ortega-Murillo Dictatorship Suffers Resounding Defeat at OAS Despite Opposition from Mexico and Brazil (in Spanish)
With these reforms, Murillo and her husband, Daniel Ortega, are seeking to remain in power for at least another 14 years. The terms of other elected officials, the heads of the Army and Police, and officials appointed by the executive and legislative branches would be extended from six to seven years.
Murillo Again Lashes Out With Insults
Following the OAS decision on Nicaragua, Murillo lashed out at government opponents, calling them “hungry packs” that “bark and bark.”
“Legions of liars — although ‘legions’ is saying too much — scraps of liars, mercenaries, traitors and cowards who put themselves on display. They love to parade themselves around in ridiculous theatrics. A kind of comic or tragicomic court paying the homage they imagine will bring them more scraps, more crumbs so they can continue fighting among themselves like the hungry packs they are,” Murillo said.
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Murillo added terms such as “scarecrows,” “peddlers of reputations,” “wrongdoers,” “scoundrels” and “miserable hirelings of William Walker’s descendants” to her repertoire of insults against government opponents.
In a contradictory speech, she urged her followers to ignore the opposition, but then said they should also “expose” them as the “ridiculous outlaws” she claims they are.
Hate-filled rhetoric has characterized Murillo, who in 2018 gave her supporters the “vamos con todo” — or “go all out” — order, which translated into brutal repression against Nicaraguan citizens. She has been sanctioned by the United States, the European Union, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Opposition groups presented a plan for democratic transition Tuesday
Murillo’s anger also appears to be related to the circulation by various opposition groups of a news release and summary of a proposed democratic transition plan for Nicaragua. The document was presented to the U.S. government and calls for the establishment of a Transitional Junta, a new constitution and elections.
On Aug. 18, Murillo accused her critics — without naming them — of “mythomania” and “stupid fantasies.”
