Ortega has cracked down on dissent over recent years ... “If adopted, these changes will sound the death knell for fundamental freedoms and rule of law in Nicaragua,” he said in a statement.

President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, are poised to consolidate absolute control over Nicaragua following the National Assembly's approval of a constitutional amendment elevating Murillo to the role of "co-president.

The reform, which 79-year-old Ortega sent to Congress on Tuesday "as a matter of urgency" was approved unanimously by 91 Nicaraguan lawmakers. (Reporting by Gabriela Selser; Writing by Sarah Morland;

Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega and his wife are set to assume absolute power after loyalist lawmakers Friday approved a constitutional amendment elevating her to the position of "co-president" an

Lawmakers in Nicaragua endorsed the constitutional reform which would expand presidential terms and promote Daniel Ortega's wife Rosario Murillo to a co-president.Nicaragua' s parliament on Friday gave their green light to a constitutional reform that hands more power to President Daniel Ortega and his already powerful wife.