In a rare interview, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has rejected calls to step down from power, amid mounting protests and civil unrest. This is President Ortega, speaking on Fox News Monday.

President Daniel Ortega: “We were elected by the voters. So, there have been electoral periods, there are term limits, and our electoral period ends with the elections of 2021, when we will have our next elections. And then we’ll have to see who will be voted in for the new administration.”

Nicaragua’s main business association has been demanding Ortega hold early elections, to which Ortega has responded that Nicaragua “is not private property.” International human rights groups say over 300 people have died since the protests erupted in April and that the vast majority have been killed by pro-government forces. Over the weekend, thousands of Ortega supporters and opposition activists rallied in rival protests in the streets of the capital Managua.