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Violence Returns to Anti-Government Protests in Nicaragua


An anti-government demonstrator with a Spiderman mask fires a home-made mortar during a protest demanding Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, stand down, in Managua on May 26, 2018.
An anti-government demonstrator with a Spiderman mask fires a home-made mortar during a protest demanding Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, stand down, in Managua on May 26, 2018.

Violence returned to protests against Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega when riot police confronted students who had seized a university.

Students demanding greater democracy and Ortega's resignation took over the Engineering University in Managua, the capital.

Government supporters moved to end the takeover, but anti-government protesters took the students' side. The opposition demonstrators then partially set fire to the pro-government radio station Radio Ya, whose offices are located near the university.

Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega with Vice-President Rosario Murillo arrival to first round of dialogue after a series of violent protests against his government in Managua, Nicaragua, May 16, 2018.
Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega with Vice-President Rosario Murillo arrival to first round of dialogue after a series of violent protests against his government in Managua, Nicaragua, May 16, 2018.

Police were sent to contain the protests Monday and there were reports of people injured.

Protests erupted in mid-April after Ortega imposed austerity measures for Nicaragua's social security system. At least 76 people died amid a violent response from police and government-allied Sandinista youth groups.

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