Nicaragua Institutionalizes Paramilitary Forces Amid Controversial Constitutional Changes

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In a controversial move, Nicaragua's government, headed by President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo, has sworn in 1,700 members of a newly established "volunteer police" force. This initiative, part of a broader effort to legitimize paramilitary groups, comes as the regime continues to face criticism for its violent repression of protests, particularly those occurring in 2018, which resulted in the deaths of over 350 individuals.

The ceremonies took place in Estelí and Madriz, with more similar events planned across the country. The new Political Constitution, currently under revision, includes provisions that establish these volunteer forces as auxiliary to the National Police, effectively institutionalizing the very groups that have been accused of committing crimes against humanity during past protests. Critics argue that this development further entrenches a "family dictatorship," blurring the lines between the state and the ruling party.

Moreover, the reformed constitution positions the Sandinista flag alongside the national flag as an official national symbol, a decision seen by opponents as a move to consolidate state power and suppress dissent. The creation of the volunteer police is seen as a direct response to increasing public discontent and is expected to escalate tensions in the already polarized political climate.

Despite these changes, reports indicate that many members of the volunteer police are public employees who were coerced into military training under threat of dismissal. Human rights organizations warn that these developments will only exacerbate violence and repression in Nicaragua, a concern echoed by international observers following the issuance of an arrest warrant against Ortega and Murillo by Argentine authorities in December 2024.

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