GENEVA: The United Nations human rights chief on Wednesday condemned what he described as a further deterioration of civil and political rights in Nicaragua, warning that proposed measures to bar political opponents from elections would deepen an already severe crackdown on dissent. On Sunday Nicaragua’s long-serving president Daniel Ortega said the Central American country would cease to hold elections, eliminating the possibility of an electoral challenge when his term ends next year and further entrenching the rule he shares with his wife.

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega said on Sunday that the country will no longer hold elections as a mechanism for the opposition to reach power. “There will be no more elections…

The Central American state's longtime leader intends to block the opposition from challenging his rule.