Nicaragua: Anti-government protest in Managua August 2 /update 37

Event

Popular unrest amid a government crackdown continues in Nicaragua. On Thursday, August 2, a demonstration will be held in the capital Managua; protesters will gather at the main entrance to the Universidad Centroamericana (UCA) campus beginning at 10:00 (local time). As with all demonstrations held in Nicaragua in the current sociopolitical climate, the risk of clashes with police and other violence is high.

Context

The current unrest, which began with small student protests in Managua before rapidly expanding, has been ongoing now for nearly four months. Regular protests have repeatedly led to deadly clashes, looting, and other violence throughout the country. Casualty figures vary by source, with between 300 and 450 people believed to have been killed during protests. Many others have been reported missing (many likely being unlawfully detained by police), thousands have been injured, and some 23,000 have fled the country.

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.