At least 3 dead, including police officer, in Nicaragua protests

MANAGUA, (Reuters) - Protests in Nicaragua over changes to social security have led to the deaths of at least three people, including a police officer, the Red Cross said yesterday, heaping pressure on the leftist government of President Daniel Ortega.

Nicaraguans have been protesting for three straight days against government changes to social security, signed into law earlier this week, that increase worker contributions and lower pensions.

On Thursday, the police officer and a young protester were shot dead in the Nicaraguan capital, Managua, while another youth was shot in the city of Tipitapa, northeast of Managua, the nation’s Red Cross told Reuters on Friday.

“We’re not sure what happened. It’s unclear. We don’t know whose side (the victims were on), whether they were in favor or opposed,” said Lisseth Guido, a spokeswoman for the Red Cross of Nicaragua.

Guido said some 48 people had received medical attention on Thursday for varying injuries due to the protests. Violent protests continued into Friday as antiriot police used tear gas, but it was not immediately clear if there were further casualties.