Nicaragua: Ortega scraps reforms April 22 after 25 killed in protests /update 3

Event

On Sunday, April 22, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega announced that plans to reform the country's social security system and increase contribution rates have been scrapped in response to a series of violent anti-government protests and deadly clashes between protesters and security forces. Ortega said that the Nicaraguan Institute of Social Security (INSS) revoked the planned reforms to facilitate the opening of talks with protesting groups. At least 27 people have been killed and over 100 wounded since the protests first broke out on Wednesday, April 18. Violent demonstrations have taken place in the capital city of Managua, as well as León, Granada, Estelí, Matagalpa, Masaya, and Tipitapa.

On Sunday, the fifth consecutive day of demonstrations, protesters reportedly looted shops and supermarkets in Managua. The Nicaraguan army also remained deployed in several cities. Additional protests, continued heightened security measures, and clashes between protesters and security forces are possible in the coming days despite Ortega's decision to abandon the planned social security reforms.

Context

Anti-government protesters and journalists have reportedly come under attack by members of the pro-government Frente Sandinista/Juventud Sandinista groups amid a general crackdown by the government of President Daniel Ortega. A number of stores and businesses in the capital have closed amid the violence. The Red Cross announced on April 19 that it would be deployed to protest sites and that all regular operations have been suspended until further notice. The Ministry of Education has suspended classes at public universities until further notice.

The protests initially broke out on April 18 to denounce recently approved reforms to the social security system. Vice President Rosario Murillo, wife of Ortega, has called on government supporters to take to the streets in a show of force; she has also publicly disparaged the anti-government protesters. The government forced three television stations off the air during the April 19 protests, including the country's only two independent stations (it should be noted that ten channels are owned by the Ortega family and their allies).

Advice

Individuals in Nicaragua are advised to keep abreast of the situation and strictly avoid all protests and university campuses due to the risk of violence and arrest.