TENS of thousands of Nicaraguans have joined a march for “Peace and Justice” called by the Catholic Church, the second massive demonstration in less than a week following a wave of deadly protests against social security reforms.
The marches in Managua came after protests which Nicaragua’s Permanent Commission on Human Rights said left at least 63 people dead, 15 missing and more than 160 wounded by gunfire.
President Daniel Ortega withdrew the social security overhaul but the protests have expanded beyond the original opposition to include broader anti-government grievances.
On Friday, National Assembly president Gustavo Porras announced a truth commission to look into what happened in the protests and clashes, the most violent and bloody since the Somoza dictatorship.
“I came because the young people who died deserve a tribute, that we march for the peace in the country, for justice and for the return of the democracy that has been kidnapped by this government,” said Marlene Alvarez, 26, who works in the capital.
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