NPR

Weeks Into Unrest, Still More Bloodshed Roils Nicaragua's Cities

In the six weeks since protests erupted against President Daniel Ortega, more than 80 people have been killed — including during a massive march Wednesday. Many are blaming Ortega for the violence.
A woman sells refreshments in front of graffiti that reads "Ortega murderer!" in Granada, Nicaragua, last week. The city's tourism industry has grown anemic since the wave of protests broke out in April.

When demonstrators gathered Wednesday in Nicaragua's capital, Managua, their stated intent was partly one of mourning: Thousands had filled the city's streets to for what they called "the mother of all marches" — to commemorate the country's Mother's Day, and to remember the dozens who are believed to have died in the violent weeks since unrest erupted against President Daniel Ortega's government in mid-April.

It was to be a moment of peaceful solidarity. It ended in bloodshed.

By the time clashes between reports of demonstrators dead and seriously injured. The Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights at least 11 people were killed and 79 injured in the single day of violence.

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