Regime Defends Dual Nationality Ban, Set to Take Effect in 2026

The president of Nicaragua’s National Assembly, Sandinista Gustavo Porras, defended on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, the constitutional reform proposed by the self-proclaimed “co-presidents” Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo. The reform would strip Nicaraguans of their nationality if they acquire another one starting in 2026, based on the argument that “no one should serve two homelands.”

“The foundation, the argument [for the proposal], is absolutely solid. It’s a historical argument, but also a real one: no one should serve two homelands,” said the Sandinista legislator during a plenary session in Managua.

“I don’t see how someone (a Nicaraguan) can raise their hand to swear loyalty to a country that attacks Nicaragua, and still continue swearing loyalty to Nicaragua,” Porras added.

The constitutional amendment, urgently proposed by Nicaragua’s husband and wife co-presidents, Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, affects articles 23 and 25, referring to “Nicaraguan nationality” and was approved in the first legislature on May 16, 2025.

Under the reform, Nicaraguans by birth will lose their citizenship the moment they acquire another nationality.

It also states that foreigners can become naturalized citizens after renouncing their original nationality. However, Central Americans by birth who reside in Nicaragua may obtain Nicaraguan citizenship without giving up their own.

The reform will affect exiled Nicaraguans, whether opposition figures or not, who wish to apply for another nationality in their host country—once the reform is approved in a second legislative session next year and published in the official government gazette La Gaceta.

Porras in his labyrinth

“We’re making it clear that there are different circumstances [for acquiring dual nationality], and today’s circumstances are not the same as before. Under today’s circumstances, this change is absolutely correct,” continued Porras, without providing further detail.

According to the Sandinista lawmaker, this is “the necessary moment” to eliminate dual nationality, “because it’s part of deepening this vision and the construction of the Sandinista homeland.”

He explained that the ruling Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), in power since 2007, is engaged in building “a revolutionary, free, sovereign, and independent homeland,” and that decisions will be made “according to the moment.”

“What’s true today might not be true tomorrow. But what’s clear is that the decisions we make today will lay the foundation for those we’ll make tomorrow,” he said.

“In other words, we have no path forward other than deepening the revolution,” he declared.

Porras also said the reform would not affect Nicaraguans who already hold dual or triple nationality, since Nicaraguan law is not retroactive — unless it’s to benefit the accused.

The loss of Nicaraguan nationality for those who obtain another “will be after the reform to the Constitution becomes final,” he noted.

The “reasons” for removing dual citizenship from Nicaraguans

“Nationality is not an administrative formality, but a sacred pact of loyalty. Anyone who acquires another nationality and swears allegiance to a foreign state breaks the legal and moral bond with Nicaragua. There can be no dual loyalty: the homeland demands exclusive commitment,” reads the statement of purpose in the document submitted by Ortega and Murillo.

“For this reason,” it continues, “there are sovereign states that do not allow dual nationality. Nicaragua, in exercising its sovereignty, must ensure that its citizenship is not exploited by foreign or conflicting interests.”

According to Ortega and Murillo, banning dual nationality “reaffirms that being Nicaraguan is not a title, but an act of dedication to defending independence, sovereignty, and self-determination.”

“Anyone who chooses another flag voluntarily gives up their place in Sandino’s homeland—one that is unique, indivisible, and revolutionary,” the dictators declare.
the authoritarian leaders state.

In mid-February 2025, Nicaragua enacted a sweeping constitutional reform that reshaped the state, eliminated the separation of powers, and granted total authority to Ortega and Murillo, now officially titled “co-presidents.” The move has been strongly condemned by the United Nations, the Organization of American States (OAS), the United States, the European Parliament, and Nicaraguan opposition groups.

With information from EFE