Ortega, bishops discuss violence but fail to reboot talks

MANAGUA: Nicaragua’s Catholic bishops met with President Daniel Ortega over reviving stalled talks to quell a political crisis rights groups say has left 134 people dead – but emerged from the closed- door meeting without a formal plan to head back to the negotiating table.

Ortega requested a ‘ period of reflection’ to consider a proposal from the Nicaraguan Episcopal Conference (CEN), which said the bishops had presented “the pain and anguish of people who have suffered in recent weeks” during the “frank and sincere meeting.”

The CEN did not elaborate on the details of its plan, but in a statement said it “reflects the feelings of many sectors of Nicaraguan society” and was awaiting a reaction from Ortega, whose leftist administration is linked to the bloody unrest.

Silvio Jose Baez, the auxiliary bishop of Managua, said Ortega “asked us for a period of reflection to give us an answer, which we asked he give us in writing” – after which they will consider the feasibility of renewed negotiations.

Bishops had called off the talks last week after a crackdown on a protest led by victims’ mothers left at least 16 people dead, and said they would not resume until the government ends the repression.

The opposition had hoped Ortega would commit to ceasing violence and agree to resume dialogue on a democratisation process for the country, former diplomat Carlos Tunnermann, who represents civil society in the broader talks, told AFP.

Prior to Thursday’s discussion, vice president and official government spokeswoman Rosario Murillo – Ortega’s wife – said “we are going to that meeting to define the point, the agenda, the mechanisms, to work for peace.”

The meeting came as the United States upped pressure on Ortega’s government by imposing visa restrictions on police and other officials linked to repression.

“The political violence by police and pro- government thugs against the people of Nicaragua, particularly university students, shows a blatant disregard for human rights and is unacceptable,” US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement. — AFP