Nicaragua in 2026: Ortega-Murillo Rule and Economic Stability
Nicaragua is governed by a co-presidency of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo under a constitution revised in February 2025, with Ortega in power continuously since 2007. The country's roughly US$22.2 billion economy grew 4.9 percent in 2025, while the córdoba has been held near 36.62 per dollar since 2024. Its political alignment with Russia and China and its role in U.S. trade and migration are among the issues to watch.
Nicaragua's capital, Managua, sits on Lake Managua's southern edge; a December 1972 earthquake ruined its historic core, which was never fully restored. The country covers 130,370 square kilometers—close to Greece's size—and had about 7.0 million residents in 2025, fewer than Tennessee.
Its economy totaled US$22.2 billion in 2025, or roughly US$3,170 per person, and expanded 4.9%. The córdoba's official rate was 36.6243 per dollar on 22 September 2026, unchanged since 2024. A February 2025 constitutional rewrite created a co-presidency for Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo; Ortega has held power continuously since January 2007.
Nicaragua's political concentration and close ties to Russia and China may shape how citizens, migrants, and businesses experience stability. A fixed exchange rate and modest growth could protect purchasing power for some, yet limited political pluralism may constrain journalists, opposition groups, and civil society. Families with relatives abroad and US-bound migrants could remain affected by diplomatic tensions and trade ties.