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Nicaragua set for new talks on ending political crisis
MANAGUA, Feb 22, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – President Daniel Ortega and Nicaragua’s
opposition agreed Thursday to resume negotiations to resolve a long-running
political crisis sparked by protests against his rule, with at least 320
people killed in a brutal government crackdown.
Ortega said that the government is working to “set the table for
negotiations next Wednesday” with representatives from the opposition, which
is demanding his resignation.
The opposition accepted his invitation to negotiate.
Ortega made the appeal during an event commemorating the 85th anniversary
of the death of guerrilla leader Augusto Sandino, to an audience of cabinet
members, military personnel, the police and supporters.
It comes as the government faces economic crisis and a $315 million
deficit, as it struggles without funding and loans that would usually come in
from multilateral organizations.
Nicaragua’s GDP shrank four percent last year and some economists say it
could contract 11 percent in 2019.
Protests initially started last April over a now-ditched pension reform,
and escalated quickly as they were met by a harsh government crackdown.
The Nicaraguan opposition accuses former guerrilla leader Ortega, in power
since 2007, of establishing a corrupt dictatorship with his wife and vice
president Rosario Murillo.
Negotiations broke down in June as Ortega refused the opposition’s main
demands to step down and bring forward presidential elections.
Protests lasted until October and as well as the many dead, more than 750
people were arrested and accused of terrorism. Thousands of people fled to
neighboring Central American countries.
Ortega’s handling of the protests drew international condemnation and
sanctions from the United States.
An opposition coalition called the Civic Alliance said it has named a six
member team for the new talks.
Neither side specified the agenda of the discussions. The Catholic church
and civil society groups are demanding the government free jailed protesters
and allow the unconditional return of people who fled the country because of
all the violence.
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1512 hrs