The health conditions of 80-year-old dictator Daniel Ortega remain a mystery. So far, the only ailments confirmed by the Sandinista leader himself are a heart attack and angina pectoris, which he developed later on, back in the ’90s. Beyond this, there are only accounts from sources who “have spent time” with people close to him at some point in his life. From these reports emerge claims that he suffers from lupus and has even developed chronic kidney failure.
However, the regime’s policy of secrecy and lack of transparency regarding the octogenarian dictator’s health—who, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, seems to have become allergic to sunlight and cameras other than those of the propaganda machine—make it easy for any speculation to become a topic of national debate.
DIVERGENTES confirmed that Ortega has indeed faced recent health setbacks, such as the one he experienced in mid-2025, which prevented him from inaugurating the Julio Buitrago overpass, located on the North Highway in Managua.
It is unknown what the specific incident was, but it was in the wake of these recent medical issues that the order was given for Ortega to be treated in a private room, built after the COVID-19 pandemic, at the National Police’s Carlos Roberto Huembes Hospital. Here, the dictator has his ailments treated and receives top-tier preventive care.
The Dictator’s Latest Relapse
Regarding the latest relapse, a source linked to the project told DIVERGENTES that the dictator had been ill in the days leading up to the inauguration date, announced by Rosario Murillo (July 17, 2025). The illness that afflicted the leader of the Sandinista regime—which the interviewee did not specify—was not “serious.” However, it prevented him from being in top condition to walk and drive, as he had done when the Piedrecitas overpass was inaugurated in November 2018.
Ortega gradually recovered and attended the ceremony on July 19 of last year, surrounded by government officials and Sandinista supporters. That said, upon his arrival, he was seen having difficulty walking, looking somewhat subdued and thinner. At that time, the dictator was suffering from an illness that had weakened his physical condition and limited his daily activities.
“The treatment, while it helped him recover, left him very weak,” explained a high-ranking source close to the Ortega-Murillo regime’s inner circle. “After that relapse, he began receiving treatment in the hospital’s private suite,” the source added.
The suite is an annex to the private rooms area of the Carlos Roberto Huembes Hospital, built after the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ortegas-Murillos began using it constantly in recent months on medical advice. “It’s not the same to have a small clinic at home as it is to have a hospital at your disposal,” the source explained.
Hospitalized for Five Days
Two additional sources confirmed that the dictator was hospitalized for at least five days between September 12 and October 19, 2025. During this period, nothing was heard from him. DIVERGENTES consulted three officials at the Carlos Roberto Huembes Hospital regarding the VIP room and the dictator’s hospitalizations.
All of them confirmed, on condition of anonymity to protect their safety from Sandinista reprisals, that Ortega was treated there under strict security measures and that only pre-approved doctors and trusted staff of the Ortega-Murillo family were allowed to enter the area.
“A man of that age is susceptible to many illnesses. The flu, for example, can affect him more severely than a young person. So the illness itself isn’t serious, but the symptoms affect him differently and can undermine his health. Therefore, it’s easier to manage this in the hospital, where you have access to everything, than at home, where equipment is available but not comprehensive, in addition to the proximity to various specialists,” explained one of the hospital staff members interviewed by this publication.
After five days of hospitalization, the dictator was discharged, with instructions to return to the hospital regularly for follow-up care to monitor any lingering effects and gradually recover his health.
Ortega reappeared on October 19, 2025, to bid farewell to Chen Xi, the Chinese ambassador. The event was recorded and broadcast by pro-government channels. The Sandinista dictator’s physical health had deteriorated, and according to the source from the Ministry of the Interior (or Mint, its acronym in Spanish) interviewed for this report, precisely because of his post-illness decline, the diplomat’s farewell was not held live in front of his supporters to avoid any mishaps.
Preventive Care
According to testimony from hospital officials and the two sources linked to the government’s inner circle and the Mint, Ortega continued to receive care in the VIP lounge at Roberto Huembes Hospital through the end of 2025 and the first three months of 2026. The Sandinista dictator visited once or twice a week—sometimes in the morning and other times in the afternoon.
“Preventive care has greatly improved his health. The last relapse was a wake-up call to take this issue seriously,” said a source linked to the inner circle of the Ortega-Murillo regime.
The purpose of the medical visits is to provide final treatment for the aftereffects of his latest relapse and to prevent opportunistic infections that could have an adverse effect on the Sandinista dictator.
“Checkups—the routine examinations that a person his age needs to stay healthy and perform his duties properly. He is now taking his health issues more seriously, which is why the visits are more frequent,” said another source.
Controlled and Monitored Arrivals
Ortega’s arrivals at the hospital are not scheduled, or at least, they are not reported to hospital staff. He generally shows up in the afternoons, and when he arrives, no staff members are allowed near the VIP lounge area. Staff members understand that they must turn off their equipment and leave their offices earlier on those days.
After a 55-day absence, dictator Daniel Ortega appeared at a public event on April 20 to rail against President Donald Trump. Although he never mentioned him by name, it was the first time the Sandinista leader had made a direct reference to the Republican since he returned to the White House. “He’s lost his mind” and “he’s suffering from mental derangement,” he said in a highly confrontational tone.
It was a more “lively” Ortega. Nothing like his recent appearances. He seemed more coherent and looked better. Although his speech was confrontational, he maintained it throughout his remarks. He even went down to greet his fans and take photos with them.
He reappeared this Monday, May 4, 2026, at a lackluster event where he said that “the people of Nicaragua are no longer afraid,” alluding to alleged U.S. intentions to launch a military attack on the country. “He is in good health; the preventive measures have worked,” said one of the hospital officials who spoke with DIVERGENTES.