Nicaragua: Conditions slowly normalizing following unrest /update 6

Event

Conditions in Nicaragua are slowly normalizing as of Wednesday, April 25, after a week of daily anti-government protests, many of which were marred by deadly violence. Dozens of university students and other protesters who had been arrested during demonstrations - some claiming they were tortured and beaten while in detention - were released on Tuesday; however, many others reportedly remain in custody or missing. The Ministry of Education has ordered schools to reopen on Wednesday; they had been closed since Monday following a weekend of major unrest. Barricades are progressively being dismantled in the capital Managua around the Upoli university campus.

The Catholic Church has offered to mediate between the government and the protesters, although it is unclear when the talks would begin.

Context

The protests began on April 18 and intensified over the weekend of April 20-22, leading to deadly clashes, looting, and other violence throughout the country, as well as a crackdown by security forces who reportedly used live ammunition to disperse crowds. Some 30 people have been killed and more than 400 others have been wounded; additionally, 200 people have reportedly been arrested and 65 more reported missing.

The intensity of the protests has subsided since April 22, when Ortega announced his decision to rescind the highly controversial reforms to country's social security system (INSS) that first sparked the protest movement. A large protest held in the capital Managua on April 23 remained mostly peaceful. However, students and other groups have vowed to continue holding protests in Nicaragua until President Daniel Ortega and his wife/Vice President Rosario Murillo leave office.

Advice

Individuals in Nicaragua are advised to keep abreast of the situation, strictly avoid all protests due to the risk of violence and arrest, and adhere to any advice issued by their home governments.