Nicaragua Congress approves ban on opposition figures from elections: official

Nicaraguan lawmakers, at the request of autocratic leader Daniel Ortega, on Tuesday approved a constitutional reform restricting the participation of opposition politicians in elections, National Assembly leader Gustavo Porras announced.

The amendment extends the presidential term from six to seven years, and bars from elections anyone who participates in "coup attempts or treason" or calls for "military intervention."

Porras said the measure was "approved unanimously."