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News > Latin America

Nicaragua: Dialogue Suspended Between Opposition, Gov't

  • Supporters of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, whose resignation is being demanded by opposition students and business leaders.

    Supporters of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, whose resignation is being demanded by opposition students and business leaders. | Photo: Reuters

Published 23 May 2018
Opinion

Opposition students and business leaders have demanded the resignation of President Daniel Ortega, grinding the peace negotiations to a halt.

The president of the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua, Leopoldo Brenes, announced Wednesday that the national dialogue for peace between the government and opposition sectors has been suspended.

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Nicaraguan Gov't: 'Opposition Pushing Coup Agenda in Dialogue'

The mediating bishops said it was necessary to create a 'Mixed Commission' in order to achieve a consensus on the proposals put forward by both parties before re-approaching the negotiations.

The Episcopal Conference suggests the commission should consist of six people: three from the government, and one each from the universities, civil society and business sector.

The third day of dialogue saw negotiations come to a practical halt as opposition sectors – which include private sector representatives and student leaders – demanded the renunciation of President Daniel Ortega, elections and a constituent assembly to reform the constitution.

The government, as well as several other observers and participants, argued these demands were far outside the realm of the dialogues. Foreign Minister Denis Moncada said the opposition was using the dialogues to push "toward a soft coup."

Journalist Adolfo Pastran said: "Here, a series of reforms are spoken of that would require legislative majority in the national assembly. This is the first time that I see such reforms being debated without a political party.

"I'm not sure if any of you here have a majority in the National Assembly to arrive at this sort of agreement... Here, one of the young men says that this is a table of absolute surrender, that the entire government must go. What are you going to negotiate?"

Vice-President Rosario Murillo called on dialogue to be productive and constitutional, so that the country can get back on track to peace. Protests are still blocking highways in many areas of the country, affecting daily life and economic activity.

"The recovery of peace... is the vital interest of Nicaraguan families, to work, to make a living, and the peace and security that has been threatened in these past weeks," Murillo said.

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