The Head of State of Nicaragua is the person who controls the executive power in the Republic of Nicaragua. From 1825 to 1838, the executive was the governor of Nicaragua as part of the Federal Republic of Central America. In 1838, Nicaragua became a separate nation and, under the Constitution of 1839, the office of Supreme Director (Director Supremo) was created, amended in 1854 to the title of President of Nicaragua. In 2025 the Constitution of Nicaragua was amended to allow the powers of the presidency to be exercised by two co-presidents rather than a single person.
Heads of the state of Nicaragua within the Federal Republic of Central America (1822–1838) Name Political party Dates in office NotesManuel Antonio de la CerdaConservative Federalist22 April 1825 – 22 April 18261st time, from León.Juan ArgüelloLiberal Federalist22 April 1826 – 14 September 18271st time, from León.Pedro Benito PinedaConservative Federalist17 September 1826 – 26 February 1827In rebellion, from Granada.Manuel Antonio de la CerdaConservative Federalist27 February 1827 – 7 November 1828In rebellion, 2nd time.Pedro OviedoLiberal Federalist14 September 1827 – December 1827Provisional, from Chinandega, León and Granada.Liberal JuntasLiberal FederalistDecember 1827 – August 1828From León and Granada.Juan ArgüelloLiberal Federalist5 August 1828 – November 18292nd time, from León.Juan EspinosaLiberal Federalist8 November 1829 – 10 May 1830Acting.Dionisio de HerreraLiberal Federalist10 May 1830 – December 1833Benito MoralesLegitimistDecember 1833 – 10 March 1834Acting.José NúñezLegitimist10 March 1834 – 23 April 1835José ZepedaLiberal Federalist23 April 1835 – 25 January 1837Assassinated.José NúñezLegitimist25 January 1837 – 12 January 18382nd time, acting.Francisco Jiménez RubioLegitimist12 January 1838 – 13 March 1838Acting.José NúñezLegitimist13 March 1838 – 30 April 18383rd time.
Supreme directors (1838–1854) Portrait Name Political party Dates in office NotesJosé NúñezLegitimist30 April 1838 – 5 January 1839First Transitional GovernmentJoaquín del CossíoLegitimist? 1839 – 15 May 1839Second Transitional GovernmentEvaristo RochaLegitimist5 January – 30 June 1839Second Transitional Government, ActingPatricio RivasDemocratic30 June 1839 – 27 July 1839Second Transitional Government, ActingJoaquín del CossíoLegitimist27 July 1839 – 20 October 1839Second Transitional GovernmentHilario UlloaLegitimist20 October 1839 – 7 November 1839ActingTomás ValladaresDemocratic7 November 1839 – 21 September 1840ActingPatricio RivasDemocratic21 September 1840 – 4 March 1841ActingPablo BuitragoLegitimist4 March 1841 – 1 April 18431841 Nicaraguan supreme director electionsJuan de Dios OrozcoLegitimist1 April 1843 – 31 May 1843ActingManuel PérezDemocratic31 May 1843 – 4 November 1844Elected by Parliament, resigned due to Salvadoran InvasionEmiliano MadrizDemocratic4 November 1844 – 24 January 1845Acting until 26 December, then Interim in LeónSilvestre SelvaLegitimist16 December 1844 – 20 January 1845Appointed by invading forces of Francisco Malespín, in MasayaBlas Antonio SáenzLegitimist20 January – 4 April 1845Provisional in Masaya until 24 January, Acting until electionsJosé León SandovalRepublican4 April 1845 – 12 March 18471845 Nicaraguan Supreme Director ElectionsMiguel Ramón MoralesLegitimist12 March – 6 April 1847ActingJosé María GuerreroRepublican6 April 1847 – 1 January 1849Lost the 1847 Nicaraguan Supreme Director Elections, but Legislative Assembly appointed him unanimouslyToribio TeránLegitimist1 January – 8 March 1849ActingBenito RosalesLegitimist8 March – 1 April 1849ActingNorberto RamírezLegitimist1 April 1849 – 1 April 18511849 Nicaraguan Supreme Director ElectionsJusto AbaunzaLegitimist1 April – 5 May 1851Provisional Government in León. 1st time, Acting Senator.Laureano PinedaDemocratic5 May – 4 August 18511st time. Deposed by José Trinidad Muñoz's military coup.Justo AbaunzaLegitimist4 August – 11 November 18512nd time. Acting senator under the authority of José Trinidad Muñoz, General in Chief, leader of the military coup.Laureano PinedaDemocratic5–11 August 1851In dissent, 2nd time.José Francisco del MontenegroLegitimist5–11 August 1851Government in Granada, died after assuming command.José de Jesús AlfaroDemocratic11 August – 2 November 1851In dissent. Government in Granada, Acting Senator.Fulgencio VegaLegitimist11 November 1851 – 1852,Appointed by the Assembly with the support of: Fruto Chamorro Brigadier General, victorious against José Trinidad Muñoz.Laureano PinedaDemocratic11 November 1851 – 1 April 1853In rebellion until 2 November 1851. 3rd time.Fruto ChamorroLegitimist1 April 1853 – 30 April 1854Government in Granada.Francisco CastellónDemocratic11 June 1854 – 2 September 1855Provisional in rebellion, from León to 1 April 1855.Nazario EscotoDemocratic2 September – 30 October 1855Provisional in rebellion, from León.
Presidents of the Republic of Nicaragua (1854–2025) Portrait Name Term of office Political party Election Took office Left office Time in office
Co-presidents of the Republic of Nicaragua (since 2025) Portrait Name Term of office Political party Election Took office Left office Time in office
Timeline
See also History of Nicaragua Politics of Nicaragua List of years in Nicaragua
References
External links Presidentes de Nicaragua