2 dozen killed during days of protest, clashes in Nicaragua

Dozens of shops in the Nicaraguan capital of Managua have been looted as protests and disturbances sparked by government social security reforms continued Sunday, and human rights groups said at least 26 people have been killed in the clashes.

Images broadcast by local news media showed looted shops in the sprawling Oriental Market district.

Police apparently did not intervene, in contrast to what had been a heavyhanded response to the demonstrations, in which dozens have been injured or arrested.

State-controlled media blamed protesters for the looting, while critics speculated that it was being allowed in order to pressure the business sector, which has set conditions for talks with the government including an end to the harsh crackdown.

The disturbances broke out Wednesday after President Daniel Ortega’s effort to shore up the troubled social security system with a combination of reduced benefits and increased taxes. They protests appear to have expanded to include broader anti-government grievances.

Ortega said Saturday that he would agree to negotiate on the social security reforms, but he said the talks would be only with business leaders.

He also seemed to try to justify the tough response by the government and allied groups, accusing demonstrators of being manipulated by unspecified “minority” political interests and of being infiltrated by gangsters.

Those remarks appeared to fan the flames, as soon afterward thousands of people spilled back into the streets in seven cities.