In 2013，President Ortega’s constitutional reform bill was approved by the National Assembly on a first vote，paving the way for the president to issue decrees with the force of law. The ruling Sandinista party controlled the majority seats in the Assembly，which allowed the plans for building the trans-ocean canal to be approved. The opposition parties failed to form a union to compete against the ruling parity. Nicaragua was affected by an adverse international environment and witnessed an economic slowdown in 2013. There was a significant progress in promoting and defending women’s rights under the Ortega government. Nicaragua maintained a close relationship with Venezuela. The territorial disputes have caused its tense relations with Colombia and Costa Rica.