Leader defies calls to quit

NICARAGUA’S President Daniel Ortega is defying calls to step down and hold elections amid a months-long wave of anti-government protests that has left as many as 350 people dead.

The next elections in Nicaragua will take place in 2021 as scheduled, Mr Ortega told US broadcaster Fox News.

“Moving up elections will cause instability, uncertainty and make everything worse,” Mr Ortega said in his first interview since 2009.

Mr Ortega also rejected as lies accusations that Catholic priests were being attacked.