Nicaragua: Large protest march in Managua June 30 /update 29

Event

Regular protests marred with violence amid a government crackdown continue to take place in various Nicaraguan towns and cities. A potentially massive march will be held in the capital Managua on Saturday, June 30, to demand the resignation of President Daniel Ortega and the scheduling of early elections, as well as to commemorate the 20 children that have been killed since the beginning of the ongoing crisis. Anti-government protesters will gather around 10:00 (local time) at Plaza Las Victorias (a.k.a. Plaza Alexis Argüello) before marching to the Jean Paul Genie rotary (roundabout) along Route 4. As with all protests held in Nicaragua in the current sociopolitical climate, potentially deadly violence is possible.

Context

The current unrest, which began with a small student protest in Managua on April 18 before rapidly expanding, has been ongoing now for over two months. Regular protests have repeatedly led to deadly clashes, looting, and other violence throughout the country. Despite government efforts, roadblocks erected by protesters in cities and on highways across the country have hindered road travel and goods deliveries. Early store closures have become common amid the violence and shortages, with the streets of Managua reportedly emptying around 18:00 due to fears of violence carried out by pro-government armed groups (grupos de choque).

According to the Nicaraguan human rights group ANPDH (Asociación Nicaragüense Pro Derechos Humanos), at least 285 people have died in the unrest since mid-April (as of June 25). Another 156 have been reported missing (many likely being unlawfully detained by police) and more than 1500 others have been injured. According to ANPDH figures, fatalities have been registered in the capital Managua (145), Masaya (35), León (20), Chinandega (8), Carazo (5), Rivas (1), Caribe Norte (20), Caribe Sur (1), Boaco (4), Jinotega (8), Río San Juan (3), Estelí (13), Granada (2), Madriz (2), Matagalpa (15), and Chontales (3). Activists have accused the government and pro-government militias of committing serious human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, using weapons of war against protesters, arbitrary detentions, torture, excessive use of force, raiding homes without a warrant, and attacking the press.

The World Medical Association (WMA) has also warned that the country’s health system has collapsed amid the crisis, with hospitals reportedly turning away injured protesters and doctors pressured by the government to refuse care. The ongoing violence has also prevented health workers from carrying out mosquito eradication efforts, increasing the risk of large-scale outbreaks of diseases such as dengue fever and malaria.   

Advice

Individuals in Nicaragua are advised to closely monitor the situation, strictly avoid all protests due to the risk of violence and arrest, and adhere to any advice issued by their home governments. Some countries, including the US, the UK, and France, continue to advise their nationals to postpone nonessential travel to the country until further notice.