Restoring Electoral Fairness and Opposition Rights through Mandates for Accountability Act of 2026

This legislation aims to address the ongoing political crisis and human rights abuses in Nicaragua by reauthorizing and expanding existing sanctions. It extends the provisions of the Nicaragua Investment Conditionality Act of 2018 (NICA Act) until December 31, 2035, unless Nicaragua first meets specific democratic benchmarks. These conditions include a commitment to competitive, free, and fair elections, the cessation of violence against civilians, and independent investigations into protester killings. The bill significantly broadens the scope of sanctionable activities and targets. It authorizes the imposition of sanctions on individuals or entities operating in Nicaragua's gold sector , or any other sector identified by the Secretary of State. Furthermore, it adds the arrest or prosecution for exercising religious freedom, the conviction of democratic political actors or civil society members on politically motivated charges, and the provision of significant support to the governments of Russia or Iran through Nicaragua as sanctionable actions. To enhance accountability, the legislation includes officials of the Military Institute of Social Security of Nicaragua (IPSM) as priority sanctions targets. It also mandates annual reports from the Secretary of State for three years, detailing the implementation and effectiveness of targeted sanctions. Finally, the bill requires an assessment of the conditions necessary for an eventual democratic transition in Nicaragua, covering areas such as electoral administration, judicial independence, and police reform.