Ortega cracks down on Nicaragua flashpoint

Nicaraguan paramilitaries with assault rifles drove honking through the centre of a key opposition stronghold after a fierce battle that sharpened international condemnation and alarm over the country’s deadly political crisis.

South of the capital, the forces hoisted the flag of President Daniel Ortega’s ruling Sandinista party over the main square in flashpoint Monimbo district town Masaya. It had been hastily cleared of debris from protracted fighting there on Tuesday.

There was no reliable death toll from the battle. A few locals reported “many deaths” or even a “massacre”, but paramilitaries denied these accounts.

Mr Ortega on Thursday prepared to celebrate the anniversary of the left-wing revolution that first brought him to power 39 years ago – while cracking down on popular unrest demanding his removal.

The 72-year-old leader and his wife, Rosario Murillo – who is also his vice president – rallied thousands of supporters in the capital Managua in a show of authority after three months of violent reactions to protests. At least 280 people have been killed, rights groups say.

Mr Ortega initially ruled for 11 years, from 1979, before losing the presidency in an election. He returned to power in 2007 and proceeded to sweep aside anybody who could challenge him, tightening his grip over the legislature and the courts.

Since last week, the violence has intensified, with lethal offensives against student protesters in Managua and against armed youths in Masaya.

The bloodshed has caused Mr Ortega to lose vital support from the private business sector and scuppered talks with opposition figures mediated by the Roman Catholic Church.

International condemnation has increased, with the US and the Organisation of American States calling for an end to the crackdown and backing activists’ demands for early elections in the poor Central American country.

The UN’s human-rights office this week said a mission sent to Nicaragua found a wide range of rights offences by the Ortega regime, including killings, torture and arbitrary detentions. The Nicaraguan government dismisses the claims.

In Masaya, pro-government forces “won the battle, [but] the [local] men say they are not defeated, that they will continue”, said resident Livia Castillo, 38.

Dozens of young people were said to have been taken away. Two police vehicles drove off with at least half a dozen prisoners in the back.

In April, an attempt to cut benefits in a reform of the cashstrapped social-security system triggered protests.

Although the move was quickly rescinded, the unrest spread as long-simmering resentment at Mr Ortega and Ms Murillo spilt into the streets and was met by brutal police action.