Managua,July 22 (SANA)TheUnited Stateshas sharply criticized Nicaraguan PresidentDaniel Ortegaafter he declared that no further elections would be held in the country, warning that Washington “will not stand idly by” amid growing concerns over Nicaragua’s democratic future.

Speaking during celebrations marking the 47th anniversary of the Sandinista Revolution inManagua, Ortega dismissed calls for future elections, telling his opponents to “forget about it” and accusing them of seeking to seize power.

U.S. Secretary of StateMarco Rubioresponded in a post on X, saying that PresidentDonald Trumpand the international community “will not stand idly by” while Ortega’s government, in his words, intensifies domestic repression and fuels instability that threatens U.S. national security.

Rubio said Ortega’s pledge to end future elections demonstrated “fear of the will of the Nicaraguan people” and further undermined democratic governance in the country.

Nicaragua had been expected to hold general elections in November.

However, constitutional amendments approved about a year and a half ago extended the presidential term from five to six years, postponing the next elections until 2027. Opposition groups operating in exile hope sustained international pressure could help restore the electoral process.

Relations betweenWashingtonand Managua have remained strained since the government’s crackdown on anti-government protests in 2018, during which more than 300 people were killed, according to the United Nations.

The United States has since imposed a series of sanctions on Nicaragua, including visa restrictions targeting more than 2,350 government officials and members of their families.