By Daniel Nardini

As Americans are grappling with the corona virus epidemic, and the uncertain state of the U.S. economy, the Nicaraguan government of President Daniel Ortega has ratcheted the one-party notch that much higher. The Nicaraguan Congress, dominated by Ortega’s party the Sandinistas, have passed a law that bans all opposition candidates from running in next year’s presidential race. The law gets worse. Under its provisions, the president can declare any and all opposition individuals “terrorists” and even “traitors to the nation” which could carry prison sentences and worse.

Ortega and the Sandinistas are able to do this because the eyes of the world are elsewhere. Effectively, all organized opposition has been outlawed in Nicaragua, and any forms of protest can now be legally dealt with by the police, the militias, and even the armed forces. Already, the Nicaraguan government has confiscated the offices of the opposition magazine Confidencial and the TV station 100% Noticias, and has threatened any and all non-government organizations in Nicaragua. As we go into the new year, there is no question that Nicaragua will become the most dangerous, most unstable, and most tyrannical country in Central America. As in the case of Venezuela, Nicaraguans have been fleeing the country, and doubtless more will flee now. Heaven help Nicaragua!