International
The constitutional reform that gives full power to Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo in Nicaragua comes into force
Nicaragua put into effect this Wednesday a reform to the Political Constitution that transforms the State, eliminates the balance of powers, and grants total power to the president of the country, Daniel Ortega, and his wife and vice president, Rosario Murillo, who now has the position of “co-president”.
The constitutional reform, which has been harshly criticized by the UN, the Organization of American States (OAS), the United States, the European Parliament and Nicaraguan opponents, came into force after being published in the Official Journal, La Gaceta, and 19 days after being approved in the second and final legislature.
The constitutional norm extends the presidential period from five to six years, establishes the figure of “co-president”, that the Executive “coordinates” the other “organs” of the State, which are no longer called powers, and legalizes statelessness.
In addition, they create the “military forces of patriotic reserve” and the “voluntary police” which, according to the opponents, would be parapolice and paramilitary forces.
The legislators reformed 148 of the 198 articles of the Magna Carta and repealed 37 others, including the one that prohibited the practice of torture.
The amendment establishes that Nicaragua is a “revolutionary” state, free, sovereign, independent, which recognizes the person, the family and the community as protagonists of “direct democracy”, that the revolutionary power is exercised by the people directly, and the people exercise the power of the State through the Presidency of the Republic that directs the Government and coordinates the legislative, judicial, electoral, accounts’s prosecutor’s office and autonomous entities.
The Presidency will lead the Government and as Head of State will coordinate the legislative, judicial, electoral, control and regional and municipal bodies, according to the rule.
Also that the Presidency is the Supreme Headquarters of the Nicaraguan Army, the National Police and the Ministry of the Interior.
In addition, the Presidency will be composed of a co-president and a co-president, who will exercise their functions for a period of six years, and may appoint vice-presidents without being elected by the popular vote.
It also includes as a national symbol the flag of the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), a party in the Government since 2007.
The Presidency may also order the intervention of the Nicaraguan Army in support of the National Police, when the stability of the Republic so requires.
It also creates “the military forces of patriotic reserve, as part of the Nicaraguan Army, which will be voluntarily composed of officers, officials, non-commissioned officers, class, soldiers and sailors who have passed to the honorable condition of retirement or discharge.”
It also creates the volunteer police as an auxiliary and support body for the National Police, made up of Nicaraguans “who provide their services on a voluntary basis”.
Despite the fact that the figure of volunteer police did not exist in the Constitution, Ortega said in September 2022 that the Army, the Police and the “voluntary police” helped restore “peace” in Nicaragua after the popular revolt that broke out in April 2018 due to controversial social security reforms and that left hundreds dead.
According to humanitarian and opposition agencies, these armed civilians are “parapolice and paramilitary groups” who acted with the acquiescence of the State in the so-called ‘Operation Cleaning’ with which the Government neutralized the demonstrations against them.
The State of Nicaragua will also ensure that the social media are not “subjected” to foreign interests or disseminate false news that violates the rights of Nicaraguans.
Ortega, 79 years old and in power since 2007, has ruled Nicaragua since 2017 together with his wife Murillo amid allegations of electoral fraud or eliminating the opposition to have no competition.
Ortega has asked to reform the Constitution on 12 occasions since 2007, including one that allows him to be re-elected indefinitely.
International
Iran Rejects Negotiations With U.S. as Strait of Hormuz Remains Blocked Amid New Attack
Tensions remained high in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday after a vessel was hit by a projectile, despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims that negotiations with Iran were moving forward and that the strategic maritime route could reopen as early as Tuesday.
Tehran denied that direct talks were taking place, but Trump insisted that discussions were underway and described the situation as a final opportunity for Iran to reach an agreement.
“This is the last chance they have to sign a good document,” Trump told reporters at the White House, adding that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz could happen “literally tomorrow” Tuesday.
The comments came after another escalation in rhetoric from Washington. Last week, Trump threatened Iran with military strikes before unexpectedly changing course on Sunday and announcing that negotiations with Tehran would resume.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqai rejected the U.S. president’s version of events, stating that Tehran was not holding negotiations with Washington.
“At this moment, we are not negotiating with the United States. We are negotiating with Oman to guarantee safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz,” Baqai said.
Earlier, the Iranian official said that Tehran was close to reaching an agreement with Oman, which lies across the Strait of Hormuz, to reopen the crucial waterway that plays a key role in global energy trade.
The maritime route has remained blocked by Iran since the outbreak of hostilities following U.S. and Israeli strikes against the Islamic Republic on February 28.
Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced Tuesday that they had launched an attack against an airport in Saudi Arabia. The Iran-backed group had previously disrupted the passage of Saudi vessels through the Red Sea, an alternative route used for crude exports by the world’s largest oil producer.
The continued instability in the region has raised concerns over global energy supplies, as the Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most important chokepoints for international oil shipments.
International
Lula Launches Re-Election Campaign Amid Rising Tensions With Trump
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is set to be officially nominated for re-election by his Workers’ Party (PT), marking the start of his campaign for a fourth presidential term.
The nomination takes place during the party’s national convention in São Paulo, Brazil’s economic hub, where around 3,000 supporters gathered to back the veteran leftist leader.
“Today I’m here because Lula’s policies changed my life and my family’s. Thanks to him, we finally own a home after eight generations without one,” said Cristiane Rosa Julho, a 51-year-old social worker attending the event dressed in the PT’s signature red.
Seeking the presidency for the seventh time in his political career, Lula is expected to face Senator Flávio Bolsonaro in next year’s election.
The 45-year-old senator is the son of former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who has been jailed over his alleged role in an attempted coup following his defeat to Lula in the 2022 election.
The party convention opened with videos highlighting Lula’s social initiatives and speeches by four women praising his leadership, while supporters waved PT flags and held signs reading “We Want Lula as President” and “Brazil Is Not for Sale.”
The campaign begins amid growing tensions with the United States and President Donald Trump, a close ally of the Bolsonaro family who has openly backed several conservative candidates across Latin America.
Last week, Lula warned against foreign interference, declaring, “In Brazil, we do not accept anyone sticking their nose where it doesn’t belong.”
In July, the United States imposed two rounds of tariffs on Brazilian products, accusing the country of unfair trade practices. The measures followed earlier restrictions introduced in 2025, encouraged by Jair Bolsonaro’s son Eduardo Bolsonaro, in response to legal proceedings against the former president.
Lula has vowed to wage what he called a “war of truth against lies” in response to Washington’s pressure and accused Flávio Bolsonaro of undermining Brazil’s interests by allegedly helping the United States damage the country’s economy. The senator has denied the accusations.
The Brazilian president also claims Washington is attempting to influence the country’s political landscape in an effort to prevent his re-election.
International
Truck bomb attack near police station in Colombia leaves 14 injured ahead of presidential inauguration
A truck loaded with explosives exploded on Saturday near a police station in the Colombian city of Cúcuta, close to the Venezuelan border, leaving 14 people injured in an attack that occurred six days before president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella’s inauguration.
The blast took place in the early hours of the morning and was allegedly carried out by members of the National Liberation Army (ELN), who detonated a vehicle packed with explosives. According to the latest report from the Colombian Army, the attack injured 11 police officers and three civilians.
The explosion involved around 15 explosive devices, and two of the wounded officers are in critical condition and “fighting for their lives,” said William Villamizar, governor of Norte de Santander, the region where the attack occurred.
The incident comes amid Colombia’s worst wave of violence in the past decade, with armed groups expanding their presence in several areas of the country.
“I strongly condemn the cowardly terrorist attack carried out in Cúcuta against our National Police. Terrorism will not intimidate Colombia or break the determination of Colombians to live in peace and security,” De la Espriella said in a post on X.
The conservative lawyer, who has been described as a far-right figure, will take office on August 7, replacing Gustavo Petro, Colombia’s first left-wing president. The inauguration ceremony will be held in Cali, the country’s third-largest city and a frequent target of attacks by armed groups.
The United Nations condemned what it described as an “indiscriminate attack” that caused not only injuries but also “fear and distress among the population.”
De la Espriella has repeatedly warned about an alleged plot against his life. Meanwhile, President Gustavo Petro, who is currently visiting Cuba, has not commented on the attack. During his visit, Petro met with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel to discuss what Havana describes as the United States’ “policy of suffocation” toward the island.
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