Nicaragua’s government, led by President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo, is leveraging the nation’s Independence Day celebrations as a backdrop for advancing constitutional reforms. Critics and political analysts suggest the patriotic fervor surrounding the holiday is intentionally being used to garner support for changes that would solidify the ruling regime’s power. The proposed reforms are widely viewed as a move to ensure the continuation of Ortega and Murillo’s long-standing leadership, effectively cementing a dictatorial rule. This tactic aims to capitalize on nationalistic sentiment to deflect attention from concerns about democratic backsliding and human rights abuses. Opponents fear the changes will further erode institutional checks and balances and suppress political opposition. The celebrations thus serve not as a commemoration of freedom, but as a strategic platform for maintaining control.