Nicaraguan president rolls back reforms after deadly protests

Managua (dpa) 23 April 2018 - Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega scrapped reforms to the social security system on Sunday following days of violent protests in which at least 10 people were killed.   
“I hope that we can enter a dialogue that will lead to peace, stability and security in our country,” Ortega said in a televised speech.   

Violence broke out on Wednesday, the day that a 5-per-cent tax on old age and disability pensions, as well as an increase in social security contributions of up to 22.5 per cent, were imposed.   

Demonstrators in the capital Managua pummelled officers with rocks and erected barricades, while authorities responded by firing on them with pellet guns.   

“We have to restore order,” said Ortega. “We cannot allow chaos, criminality and looting to prevail.”   
Human rights organizations say that at least 26 people have been killed in the violence, while the government has put the death toll at 10.  Earlier Sunday, the government confirmed that journalist Angel Eduardo Gahona was among the dead.