Nicaraguan authorities attack the rebel town of Masaya causing three deaths

The Nicaraguan government took control of the city of Masaya Tuesday after an intense bombardment of more than seven hours on the indigenous community of Monimbó, which caused at least three deaths, activists said. "The boys fell from the trenches and fled, their weapons were too heavy," said a member of the Masaya Movement on April 19, quoted by Efe.

The Nicaraguan Human Rights Association (ANPDH) confirmed the death of a police officer, a 15-year-old man and a woman who died near his home. The ANPDH says that the number of victims may be even higher, but that it is not yet possible to enter the city because it remains surrounded by the "combined forces" government, which includes police and military personnel.

Monimbó that more resistance had given to the government of Ortega since the beginning of the social protests in April, that already caused at least 351 deaths. The Nicaraguan government has launched a strong attack against the indigenous community of Monimbó, a district south of Masaya, where opposition to Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega is the strongest.

Members of the Masaya Movement on April 19 denounced the fact that thousands of "combined forces" of the government have established a siege around Masaya, 29 kilometers from Managua, to prevent any form of aid to the population. The US State Department has urged Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega to "energetically" stop the attacks in the city of Masaya, one of the most opposed to the head of state.

Nicaraguan policy minister Paul Oquist said that an "attempted coup d'etat" failed in the country, stressing that the government wants to resume dialogue to achieve national reconciliation.

"The good news for Nicaragua is that the coup d'etat failed, that is, the attempted coup d'etat in Nicaragua was defeated," he said. said in press releases to France Presse after a meeting of European foreign ministers with their counterparts from the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States. Oquist represented Nicaragua

Since April 18, Nicaragua has been the scene of violent demonstrations and clashes. The protesters accuse President Daniel Ortega and his wife and vice president, Rosario Murillo, of abuse of power and corruption. Daniel Ortega has been in power since 2007, after a first term from 1979 to 1990. According to the Nicaraguan Human Rights Association (ANPDH), at least 351 people have died and 261 are missing in Nicaragua.