Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has declared that the country will no longer hold elections.
Ortega, who has ruled the North American nations for nearly two decades, made the announcement during celebrations marking the 47th anniversary of the Sandinista Revolution on Sunday.
He said future elections would only allow forces backed by foreign interests to return to power.
"There won't be any more elections here," Ortega said.
He added, "We are not going to allow those who are traitors to the homeland and those who serve foreign interests to use elections to seize power."
The 79-year-old leader has governed Nicaragua since 2007 after previously leading the country in the 1980s.
Over the years, his administration has jailed opposition figures, shut down independent media and civil society groups, and introduced constitutional changes that expanded presidential powers.
Earlier this year, lawmakers also extended the presidential term from five to six years and strengthened the role of co-President Rosario Murillo, Ortega's wife.
Opposition leaders and human rights groups condemned the announcement.
Exiled opposition figure Félix Maradiaga said, "This is the confession of a dictatorship that no longer even pretends to be democratic."
He added, "The regime knows it cannot win free elections, so it has decided to eliminate them altogether."
The United States and several international organisations have repeatedly criticised Ortega's government over alleged human rights abuses and the suppression of political opponents since anti-government protests erupted in 2018.
Ortega has rejected those accusations, insisting his government is defending Nicaragua's sovereignty and stability.
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