In Nicaragua, the Organization of American States says the death toll from mounting anti-government protests has risen to at least 273 people since the uprising erupted in April. Both opposition groups and pro-government forces have been accused of violence, including kidnappings and killings. On Monday, hundreds marched in the streets of Managua to demand justice for students killed Friday during an hours-long standoff at the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua between pro-government forces and opposition protesters who had seized control of the university campus.
Nicaraguan protester: “Today, we’re here at this march after what happened at the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, the massacre at the university on Friday, July 13, due to how the evil government attacked our brothers at the university. They attacked them in a cowardly way.”
The Nicaraguan government says the official death toll is 51, and accuses opposition protests of using violence to overthrow the elected leftist government. On Sunday, Nicaragua’s National Police accused the opposition of kidnapping, torturing and incinerating a police officer.