OngoingThe Americas
The Violent Struggle Against President Ortega in Nicaragua
With more than 170 dead, the streets of Nicaragua have been splattered with violent clashes between armed government forces and civilians. What triggered the student-led uprise? Is there a potential end?
Over the past few months, the crisis in Nicaragua has claimed the lives of at least 170 citizens. In the bloodiest battle since the country’s civil war, the onslaught of student-led protests initiated as a reaction to proposed changes in the social security system. Other factors contributing to the ongoing unrest include a failure of the government to intervene in a large forest fire on a protected nature reserve and propositions to decrease pension funds and raise taxes. This is the biggest crisis the country has faced since President Daniel Ortega’s second round of presidency in 2007.
Pro-Ortega forces and protests led by students have been violent to say the least. Protesters armed with homemade mortars, rocks and slings have clashed with Pro-Ortega gangs and police forces. Highway blockades have stifled the flow of transportation across the country, as protesters and common folk have begun erecting barricades from various forms of government infrastructure in order to tire out the government and potentially damage the economy.
Resolution Stymied
Talks between the government and protestors came to a foreseeable standstill on June 15th, when the government dismissed probes from the international community for a human rights investigation. Although the groups struck a deal to end the fighting, mere hours later eight had been killed in a shootout and fire. The national police issued a statement linking the gunfire to protesters, while local media sources reported that pro-Ortega gunmen were actually the ones to fire at protesters who guarded the roadblocks.
Demands for the resignation of President Ortega are high on the list of the protesters. The United Nations has become involved, calling for access to investigate deaths and investigate accusations of use of excessive force. The Catholic Church of Nicaragua initially mediated, but pulled out and refuses to resume talks until the people are no longer “repressed and murdered.” Only time will tell if the regime is willing to recede their power over the people of Nicaragua and give in to civil demands.
