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US Condemns Violence in Nicaragua

by VOA News

   The United States condemned the violence in Nicaragua Monday, stating
   that President Daniel Ortega bears responsibility for violent clashes
   that have left over 400 people dead in recent months.

   "President Ortega and Vice President Murillo are ultimately responsible
   for the pro-government parapolice that have brutalized their own
   people," [1]a statement from the White House press secretary said
   Monday.

   "The United States stands with the people of Nicaragua, including
   members of the Sandinista party, who are calling for democratic reforms
   and an end to the violence. Free, fair, and transparent elections are
   the only avenue toward restoring democracy in Nicaragua," Monday's
   statement said.

   The White House also said it would revoke the visas of any officials
   responsible for violence against protesters.

   Violent clashes have left over 400 people dead in the last three months
   after protests were sparked by Ortega's proposed changes to pensions.
   Though the changes were revoked, antigovernment protests have
   persisted, calling for democratic reforms after years of fraudulent
   elections and repression of opposition parties and independent media,
   according to the White House.

   The United States has called on Ortega to move up elections in the
   troubled country, but Ortega has refused, claiming they would make the
   situation worse. Ortega has also called the protesters "coup-mongers"
   and "terrorists."

   Earlier this month, the United States announced sanctions against three
   individuals of Ortega's administration, accusing them of human rights
   abuses and corruption.

   "Through these sanctions, the United States is demonstrating that it
   will hold Ortega regime officials who authorize violence and abuses or
   who steal from the Nicaraguan people responsible for their actions,"
   Monday's statement said.

   "These are a start, not an end, of potential sanctions," it added.

References

   1. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/statement-press-secretary-nicaragua-2/