Nicaragua's Ortega agrees to talk as deadly protests rage on

MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) — Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega said Saturday that his government is willing to enter into talks over social security reforms that have sparked four days of protests and clashes in which, rights monitors say, at least 25 people have died. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega was under pressure from widespread street unrest on Monday despite backing down on a contentious pension reform plan that triggered days of violence in which at least 25 people were killed. Before his U-turn late Sunday, Ortega had agreed to hold talks with the private sector, only to be rebuffed by business leaders who said there could be no dialogue unless his government “immediately ceases police repression.”

Ramirez, the student, said the deaths and censorship during the protests had ended the possibility of resolving the crisis through talks. On Friday night Vice President, first lady and government spokeswoman Rosario Murillo said nine people had been confirmed dead in the clashes, though the human rights group Cenidh said Saturday it had counted at least 25 deaths nationwide. The U.S. State Department official said the embassy in Managua would be unable to provide routine services to the public until further notice, but would continue to be available by phone for emergencies and provide services to U.S. citizens and visa applicants. The reforms, issued by decree, increase income and payroll taxes and make changes to pensions to try to shore up Nicaragua's troubled social security system.
The U.S. State Department orders the families of U.S. diplomats in Nicaragua to leave amid riots by protestors against proposed pension changes. President Daniel Ortega has scrapped the changes but further protests are nonetheless anticipated.