2018–2022 Nicaraguan protests
| 2018 Nicaraguan protests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Part of 2014–2018 Nicaraguan protests | ||
 | ||
| Date | 18 April 2018 – ongoing | |
| Location | ||
| Caused by | Social security reform | |
| Resulted in | Cancellation of social reforms | |
| Parties | ||
| ||
The 2018 Nicaraguan protests are a series of protests against Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega following the Ortega administration's decree of social security reform increasing taxes and decreasing benefits. After five days of deadly unrest, Ortega announced the cancellation of the reforms. Since then, Ortega faced the largest protests in his government's history, with the protest movement spreading to denounce Ortega in general and demanding his resignation.[1]
Background
On 21 February 2018, the Nicaragua Canal was officially cancelled. The controversial methods of preparing construction and land use for the canal was one of the main causes of protest in the years preceding the April 2018 protests.
On April 16, 2018, demonstrators marched in the capital of Managua to protest what they regarded as an insufficient government response to forest fires that burned 13,500 acres (5,500 hectares) of the Indio Maiz Biological Reserve,[2] a tropical nature preserve that is home to Rama and Kriol indigenous people, as well as significant biodiversity and endangered species. Counterprotests supported the Sandinista Front government.[3]
Timeline of events
On Wednesday, 18 April, protests in the capital expanded in response to the Ortega and Murillo administration announcement of social security reforms that raised income and payroll taxes while reducing pension benefits by 5%.[5] Demonstrations also emerged in six more cities, meeting with heavy response from authorities following the deployment of the Nicaraguan Army to respond to protesters ordered by President Ortega.[6][7] At least 26 people were killed, including journalist Angel Gahona of the news program Meridiano, with Gahona being shot to death outside of city hall in Bluefields while streaming on Facebook Live. Reports also emerged that various forms of independent media were censored during the protests.[6][7]
On Saturday April 21, Ortega made his first public appearance, announcing he would hold negotiations for possible revision of the reforms, planned to take effect July 1; however, he said he would only meet with business leaders, and alleged that demonstrators were being manipulated by gangs and other political interests. Demonstrations increased in response, with protestors objecting to the repression of demonstrations and the exclusion of other sectors from the negotiations, as well as the reforms themselves. The business chamber Cosep announced it would only participate in the negotiation if police violence ceased, detained protestors were released and free speech was restored.[6] Nicaragua's Roman Catholic Conference of Bishops also called for an end to the police violence and criticized unilateral reforms; Pope Francis subsequently added his call for peace in the country.[8]
On Sunday, April 22, as press described the unrest as the biggest crisis of Ortega's presidency,[9][10][11] Ortega announced the cancellation of the social security reforms,[10] acknowledging they were not viable and had created a "dramatic situation".[5] He again proposed negotiations on the issue, this time to include Catholic Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes as well as the business community.[5]
On Monday, April 23, marches of citizens, businessmen and students were presented in Managua demanding the end of violence in the country as well as the release of students arrested by the police and the cessation of censorship of television media, in addition to ask for a response from the government about the students who died during the protests.[12] The protests were the largest seen during the Ortega administration, with tens of thousands of Nicaraguans participating and calling for the resignation of Ortega.[13]
References
- ^ "Thousands protest against Nicaragua government, urge calm". ABC News. Retrieved 2018-04-24.
- ^ Gies, Heather (April 22, 2018). "At least 10 killed as unrest intensifies in Nicaragua". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2018-04-23.
{{cite web}}:|archive-date=requires|archive-url=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ "Nicaragua puts out forest fire in southern nature reserve". AP News. Retrieved 2018-04-23.
- ^ "Policía vigila frente a Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería en Managua". VOA (in Spanish). April 20, 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ a b c Salinas, Carlos (2018-04-22). "El presidente de Nicaragua anula la polémica reforma de la Seguridad Social acosado por las protestas". El País (in Spanish). ISSN 1134-6582. Retrieved 2018-04-22.
- ^ a b c "Nicaragua president calls for dialogue". BBC News. 2018-04-22. Retrieved 2018-04-22.
- ^ a b "U.S. pulling staffers out of Nicaragua as riots, looting intensify". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2018-04-23.
When the protests heated up, Ortega cracked down. The army was called in to help quell disturbances, and independent media were squeezed.
- ^ "Nicaraguan journalist shot dead on Facebook Live as Pope calls for end of deadly protests". The Telegraph. 2018-04-22. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2018-04-22.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ "Nicaragua president calls for dialogue". BBC News. 2018-04-22. Retrieved 2018-04-22.
- ^ a b "Nicaraguan welfare changes that sparked protests canceled: president". Reuters. April 22, 2018. Retrieved 2018-04-22.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ Diao, Alexis (April 22, 2018). "Social Security Reforms That Sparked Violent Unrest In Nicaragua Reportedly Canceled". NPR. Retrieved 2018-04-22.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ https://www.laprensa.com.ni/2018/04/23/politica/2408526-en-vivo-sexto-dia-de-protestas-en-nicaragua
- ^ "Thousands protest against Nicaragua government, urge calm". ABC News. Retrieved 2018-04-24.
Template:Anti-government protests in the 21st century Template:Ongoing protests