- Title: At least one killed as protests rock Nicaragua
- Date: 24th September 2018
- Summary: MANAGUA, NICARAGUA (SEPTEMBER 23, 2018) (REUTERS) PROTESTERS RUNNING DOWN STREET TOWARDS CAMERA ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTERS RUNNING DOWN STREET PRO AND ANTI-GOVERNMENT GROUPS THROWING ROCKS POLICE ON STREET IN ANTI RIOT GEAR VARIOUS, PEOPLE RUNNING AWAY AFTER CLASHES MAN WALKING WITH WOUND ON HIS HAND PEOPLE ATTENDING TO GIRL LYING ON GROUND PEOPLE THROWING ROCKS GIRL WALKING AWAY FROM SCENE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) UNIDENTIFIED NICARAGUAN PROTESTER, SAYING: "They came and, where we were gathered, the paramilitaries were there, they started to attack us. And, just now we were at the march and they started following us, too, and they fired (weapons) here, too." VARIOUS, PEOPLE FANNING YOUNG MAN LYING ON GROUND GAS CANISTER (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) UNIDENTIFIED NICARAGUAN WOMAN, SAYING: "We're asking the COSEP (Nicaraguan business group), the private businesses for them to please help us. We want a total strike because this assassin (President Ortega) is doing what he wants to us. Please help us." ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTERS MARCHING
- Embargoed: 8th October 2018 02:36
- Keywords: protests clashes violence Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega march demonstrations
- Location: MANAGUA, NICARAGUA
- City: MANAGUA, NICARAGUA
- Country: Nicaragua
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0018YZJ9Z7
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Police and supporters of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega clashed in Managua on Sunday (September 23) with demonstrators calling for the release of people imprisoned during recent protests, leaving at least one person dead, authorities said.
Hundreds of protesters carrying Nicaragua's blue and white flag massed in the eastern part of the capital in the morning after squads of police prevented the demonstrators from reaching the city center.
Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at the crowd, and armed supporters of Ortega opened fire on demonstrators, local media said. At least one woman passing by was hit by a bullet, according to a Reuters witness.
Nicaragua's National Police said in a statement that one person was killed in the "crossfire" between demonstrators, whom police characterized as "terrorists," and families who were defending their homes from attacks by "violent groups."
Local media reported at least six people were wounded.
About 300 people have been jailed since protests erupted in April, according to local human rights activists. More than 300 people were killed during those protests in crackdowns by Nicaraguan police and armed groups backing the government, human rights groups have said.
The protests began after Ortega's leftist government moved to reduce welfare benefits, but soon escalated into broader opposition against Ortega, who has been in office since 2007. He also held power in the 1980s during Nicaragua's civil war.
The current violence is the worst since his Sandinista government battled U.S.-backed "Contra" rebels in the 1980s.
In a speech on Saturday (September 22), Ortega said he would not call early elections ahead of a scheduled 2021 vote. Nicaragua's main business lobby and other groups have urged Ortega to bring forward elections to help the country emerge from the crisis. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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