Constitutional amendment in Nicaragua

Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega and his wife are set to assume absolute power after lawmakers Friday approved a constitutional amendment elevating her to the position of "co-president" and boosting the pair's joint control over the state.

Under sanctions for human rights abuses, Ortega himself had proposed the change, which also increases the Central American country's presidential term from five to six years. Nicaragua's Parliament Chief Gustavo Porras said Friday the measure was approved "unanimously."