US accuses Ortega husbands of being violent in Nicaragua

Managua, Nicaragua

The United States held Monday the president of Nicaragua Daniel Ortega and his vice president and wife, Rosario Murillo for the violence which has already left a record of about 350 deaths since the beginning of the anti-government protests in April

Ortega, for its part, accused Washington of funding the opposition protests and admitted that his government was behind the paramilitaries who persecute the protesters in an interview published Monday.

In an official note, the White House said that "Ortega and Murillo" are ultimately responsible for the pro-government self-defense groups that brutalized his own people. "

This is the first time that the United States directly and nominally blamed the current president and his wife for the situation in Nicaragua, and thus defended "The United States is on the side of the people of Nicaragua, including the members of the Sandinista Front, calling for democratic reforms and the end of violence, "said the White House, referring to the ruling Sandinista Front. of National Liberation (FSLN).

For the United States government, the celebration of "free, fair and transparent elections is the only way to the restoration of democracy in Nicaragua".

In an interview with Euronews, Ortega said that he was facing "a mighty enemy" that "this is the United States", which, according to him, have allocated millions dollars to local groups responsible for the events. He claimed to have proof of this funding, but he did not disclose it.

These funds "are diverted to destabilize the country and stimulate armed actions, they are gangs that commit crimes," according to the 72-year-old governor.

In the interview, Ortega admits that his government controls the paramilitaries who have acted with the riot police to dismantle the protests.

"These are volunteer policemen," said Ortega, contradicting what he said in a previous interview with another international network when he said the paramilitaries were organized. right "golpista.

Ortega was willing to resume the dialogue that his government had begun in May with the opposition to resolve the crisis, with the mediation of Catholic bishops, but with new" rules. "

However, he rejected the possibility of discussing an advance of the elections from 2021 to 2019, as proposed by the bishops and major Nicaraguan sectors.

"Following this path opens the doors to anarchy in the country. The Nicaraguan president has however discussed the holding of a referendum on the advancement of elections in the framework of a dialogue with CNN, according to anticipated fragments of this dialogue according to which the channel announced on Monday that he will broadcast.

Ortega also said in this interview that he wanted to integrate dialogue with international organizations to strengthen the mediation work of the Catholic Church.

– Students in disobedience –

Saturday, thousands of Nicaraguans made a pilgrimage to Managua in support of bishops, who were insulted and badaulted by government forces, and accused by Ortega of "conspirators" .

Despite the crackdown, hundreds of university students from León, an important academic center in Nicaragua, declared his disobedience by starting clbades Monday and marched to seek justice

They also condemned the dismissal at least 80 doctors and health personnel for supporting the wounded in protests against the government in the cities of León and Jinotepe (south).

independent journalists protested Monday in Managua against the badaults that the union suffered during the coverage.

The demonstration in the capital came after the weekend two correspondents of Channels 10 of Jinotega (north) and Granada (South) were the subject of arbitrary arrests while they covered opposition demonstrations in favor of the Catholic Church.

– Suggestion of additional sanctions –

Demonstrations in Nicaragua began on April 18 against a reform of social security. they drifted into mbad protests that were responded with a strong crackdown, in a cycle of violence that motivated Ortega's resignation warrants.

In the document released on Monday, The White House reviewed the measures adopted in this regard, in particular the sanction of three Nicaraguan officials, a measure that considered "the beginning and not the end of potential sanctions".

In addition, Washington has revoked or restricted the granting of visas to Nicaraguan officials who had any connection with the suppression of demonstrations or acts of violence.

Daniel Ortega, who ruled from 1979 to 1990 and came back to power in 2007, gave an interview last week to FoxNews. Whoever ruled out the renunciation of the presidency

Last week, the House of Representatives of the US Congress pbaded a resolution asking the government to adopt more sanctions against Nicaraguan officials