A wave of arrests and the death of jailed opposition figures has signalled a new “era of repression” in Nicaragua, observers say, as powerful co-president Rosario Murillo prepares to take power from her ailing husband, Daniel Ortega.

Ortega, who turns 80 on November 11, is increasingly delegating tasks to his septuagenarian wife, Murillo, who has a reputation for ruthlessness and esoteric beliefs.

Exiles and human rights activists see a series of recent authoritarian actions as evidence that transition preparations are quickening in pace.

– Death of detainees –

Authorities in Managua never publicly acknowledged the jailing of opposition figure Mauricio Alonso, who was believed to have been picked up in mid-July.

Little was known about his safety until August 25, when Washington announ

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