Fresh violence kills over a dozen in Nicaragua: Rights Group

At least 14 people have been killed in Nicaragua during a reported raid by pro-government forces as protests against President Daniel Ortega continue unabated in the country.

According to Press TV, violence broke out on Friday after police used mechanical equipment to open roads barricaded by protesters in the Diriamba and Jinotepe areas, 20 kilometers from the opposition bastion of Masaya.

The assailants opened up access to over 350 cargo trucks stranded on the highway in Jinotepe for over a month amid the protests.

“This has been a horror. We have a minimum of 14 dead, but it could be more. That includes at least one anti-riot officer, one paramilitary member and two police officers,” Vilma Nunez, president of the Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights (CENIDH) said.

Police blamed “terrorists with firearms” for the deaths of two officers.

The protests were triggered in mid-April after a series of now-canceled changes were made to the Central American nation’s social security system.

SS