AP PHOTOS: Nicaraguans battle over symbols amid unrest

MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) – During almost two months of anti-government protests, symbols of President Daniel Ortega’s administration and even the earlier Sandinista revolution he helped lead have been defaced and destroyed or sometimes appropriated by demonstrators.

Ortega and his wife, current Vice President Rosario Murillo, returned to power in 2007, and to many Nicaraguans it seemed their election campaign never stopped, even growing in size and intensity as they planted billboard portraits and other ostentatious works across the country.

These symbols have become targets for protesters during demonstrations that were initially set off in mid-April by a since-canceled austerity plan for the social security system but have expanded into demands for the Ortegas to give up power. Almost overnight, symbols of the Ortegas were painted with graffiti, burned, pulled down and stamped on by angry feet.

In this May 20, 2018 photo, a pro-government billboard featuring Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega and his wife, first lady and Vice President Rosario Murillo is destroyed by protesters, near a "Tree of Life" sculpture, a pet project of Murillo, in Managua, Nicaragua. During two months of anti-government protests, symbols of Ortega's administration and even the earlier Sandinista revolution he helped lead have been defaced and destroyed or sometimes appropriated by demonstrators. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 20, 2018 photo, a pro-government billboard featuring Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega and his wife, first lady and Vice President Rosario Murillo is destroyed by protesters, near a "Tree of Life" sculpture, a pet project of Murillo, in Managua, Nicaragua. During two months of anti-government protests, symbols of Ortega's administration and even the earlier Sandinista revolution he helped lead have been defaced and destroyed or sometimes appropriated by demonstrators. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 20, 2018 photo, a pro-government billboard featuring Nicaragua’s President Daniel Ortega and his wife, first lady and Vice President Rosario Murillo is destroyed by protesters, near a “Tree of Life” sculpture, a pet project of Murillo, in Managua, Nicaragua. During two months of anti-government protests, symbols of Ortega’s administration and even the earlier Sandinista revolution he helped lead have been defaced and destroyed or sometimes appropriated by demonstrators. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

One of the main targets have been Murillo’s “Chayopalos,” or Trees of Life, that spouted up around Managua in 2013 – huge steel sculptures of trees covered with hundreds of light bulbs lining the capital’s major thoroughfares. The administration portrayed the brightly colored Trees of Life a public art installation, but many people viewed them as a gaudy extravagance in a country rife with poverty.

Once the protests erupted, crowds chanted “Fall, fall, fall,” pulled the trees down and bounced on their twisted limbs for live videos. Recyclers quickly stripped their wiring, while others unscrewed light bulbs to be proudly dangled on cords around their necks.

Marisa Olivares Morales, a sociology professor at the Central American University of Nicaragua and a former long-time member of the Sandinista National Liberation Front, says the felled trees are an important symbol for protesters.

“Taking down Rosario Murillo’s first Tree of Life was a response from the kids to such a brutal aggression and the ‘Chayopalos’ ended up being a symbol of power,” she said. More than 160 people have been killed in street clashes since the protests started.

Protesters have also turned symbols of the revolution against the government.

When Ortega and others rose up against the Somoza family dictatorship in the late 1970s, the rebels were woefully outgunned and they used homemade mortars of welded pipe to fire on security forces. Now those same artisanal weapons are being turned on Ortega’s police and gangs of pro-government thugs.

Echoing another tactic of the revolution, whole segments of cobblestone streets have been pried up, especially in Masaya, southeast of the capital. The stones are stacked into waist-high barricades, just as the Sandinistas did to fend of Anastasio Somoza’s security forces, at times in the very same streets. The use of cobblestones was also symbolic during the revolution because they were made at a Somoza family factory.

In this May 26, 2018 photo, the Spanish word for "Murderer" covers a mural of Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega, as part of anti-government protests demanding his resignation in Managua, Nicaragua. As of June 6, the non-governmental Nicaraguan Human Rights Center says the death toll since the start of the unrest in April is 129. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 26, 2018 photo, the Spanish word for "Murderer" covers a mural of Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega, as part of anti-government protests demanding his resignation in Managua, Nicaragua. As of June 6, the non-governmental Nicaraguan Human Rights Center says the death toll since the start of the unrest in April is 129. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 26, 2018 photo, the Spanish word for “Murderer” covers a mural of Nicaragua’s President Daniel Ortega, as part of anti-government protests demanding his resignation in Managua, Nicaragua. As of June 6, the non-governmental Nicaraguan Human Rights Center says the death toll since the start of the unrest in April is 129. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 20, 2018 photo, protesters take over a "Tree of Life" sculpture, part of a city beautification project by first lady and Vice President Rosario Murillo, as they shout anti-government slogans before toppling it in Managua, Nicaragua. There were more than 130 of these sculptures in the capital city before the protests felled at least eight of them. Others have been burned or otherwise defaced with anti-government graffiti. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 20, 2018 photo, protesters take over a "Tree of Life" sculpture, part of a city beautification project by first lady and Vice President Rosario Murillo, as they shout anti-government slogans before toppling it in Managua, Nicaragua. There were more than 130 of these sculptures in the capital city before the protests felled at least eight of them. Others have been burned or otherwise defaced with anti-government graffiti. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 20, 2018 photo, protesters take over a “Tree of Life” sculpture, part of a city beautification project by first lady and Vice President Rosario Murillo, as they shout anti-government slogans before toppling it in Managua, Nicaragua. There were more than 130 of these sculptures in the capital city before the protests felled at least eight of them. Others have been burned or otherwise defaced with anti-government graffiti. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 20, 2018 photo, protesters stomp on a pro-government billboard that reads in Spanish "United in victory! Love for Nicaragua," in Managua, Nicaragua. Protests have continued across Nicaragua since President Daniel Ortega announced austerity measures for the social security system, which he later withdrew, as demonstrators call for Ortega's exit. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 20, 2018 photo, protesters stomp on a pro-government billboard that reads in Spanish "United in victory! Love for Nicaragua," in Managua, Nicaragua. Protests have continued across Nicaragua since President Daniel Ortega announced austerity measures for the social security system, which he later withdrew, as demonstrators call for Ortega's exit. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 20, 2018 photo, protesters stomp on a pro-government billboard that reads in Spanish “United in victory! Love for Nicaragua,” in Managua, Nicaragua. Protests have continued across Nicaragua since President Daniel Ortega announced austerity measures for the social security system, which he later withdrew, as demonstrators call for Ortega’s exit. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 20, 2018 photo, anti-government protesters work to pull down a government billboard announcing the Spanish message "United in victory! Love for Nicaragua," in Managua, Nicaragua. President Daniel Ortega won re-election in 2016, when opposition leaders had called for a boycott, alleging the president had rigged things in his favor and accused him of dynastic ambitions for picking his wife as his vice presidential running mate. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 20, 2018 photo, anti-government protesters work to pull down a government billboard announcing the Spanish message "United in victory! Love for Nicaragua," in Managua, Nicaragua. President Daniel Ortega won re-election in 2016, when opposition leaders had called for a boycott, alleging the president had rigged things in his favor and accused him of dynastic ambitions for picking his wife as his vice presidential running mate. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 20, 2018 photo, anti-government protesters work to pull down a government billboard announcing the Spanish message “United in victory! Love for Nicaragua,” in Managua, Nicaragua. President Daniel Ortega won re-election in 2016, when opposition leaders had called for a boycott, alleging the president had rigged things in his favor and accused him of dynastic ambitions for picking his wife as his vice presidential running mate. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 28, 2018 photo, anti-government protesters pose for a group photo with their homemade mortars outside a shopping center with a store covered by metal sheeting to protect it from looting, in Masaya, Nicaragua. Protesters use rocks, Molotov cocktails and homemade mortars fashioned from welded pipe segments to confront police who use with tear gas, rubber bullets and, in some cases, live rounds. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 28, 2018 photo, anti-government protesters pose for a group photo with their homemade mortars outside a shopping center with a store covered by metal sheeting to protect it from looting, in Masaya, Nicaragua. Protesters use rocks, Molotov cocktails and homemade mortars fashioned from welded pipe segments to confront police who use with tear gas, rubber bullets and, in some cases, live rounds. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 28, 2018 photo, anti-government protesters pose for a group photo with their homemade mortars outside a shopping center with a store covered by metal sheeting to protect it from looting, in Masaya, Nicaragua. Protesters use rocks, Molotov cocktails and homemade mortars fashioned from welded pipe segments to confront police who use with tear gas, rubber bullets and, in some cases, live rounds. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 28, 2018 photo, a protester's dog wears a mask as he accompanies his owner at a road block set up by anti-government demonstrators in Masaya, Nicaragua. Students now form the backbone of a protest movement against President Daniel Ortega that has left his administration shaken. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 28, 2018 photo, a protester's dog wears a mask as he accompanies his owner at a road block set up by anti-government demonstrators in Masaya, Nicaragua. Students now form the backbone of a protest movement against President Daniel Ortega that has left his administration shaken. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 28, 2018 photo, a protester’s dog wears a mask as he accompanies his owner at a road block set up by anti-government demonstrators in Masaya, Nicaragua. Students now form the backbone of a protest movement against President Daniel Ortega that has left his administration shaken. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this June 6, 2018 photo, multiple barricades crated by anti-government protesters, and made of cobblestone, block a street in Masaya, Nicaragua, during protests calling for the resignation of President Daniel Ortega. The stones are stacked into waist-high barricades, just as the Sandinistas did to fend of Anastasio Somoza's security forces, at times in the very same streets. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this June 6, 2018 photo, multiple barricades crated by anti-government protesters, and made of cobblestone, block a street in Masaya, Nicaragua, during protests calling for the resignation of President Daniel Ortega. The stones are stacked into waist-high barricades, just as the Sandinistas did to fend of Anastasio Somoza's security forces, at times in the very same streets. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this June 6, 2018 photo, multiple barricades crated by anti-government protesters, and made of cobblestone, block a street in Masaya, Nicaragua, during protests calling for the resignation of President Daniel Ortega. The stones are stacked into waist-high barricades, just as the Sandinistas did to fend of Anastasio Somoza’s security forces, at times in the very same streets. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 24, 2018 photo, an anti-government protester holds up his homemade mortar made of sections of pipes at a roadblock set up by protesters along the Panamerican Highway in Nagarote, Nicaragua. When President Daniel Ortega and others rose up against the Somoza family dictatorship in the late 1970s, the rebels were woefully outgunned and they used homemade mortars of welded pipe to fire on security forces. Now those same artisanal weapons are being turned on Ortega's police and gangs of pro-government thugs. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 24, 2018 photo, an anti-government protester holds up his homemade mortar made of sections of pipes at a roadblock set up by protesters along the Panamerican Highway in Nagarote, Nicaragua. When President Daniel Ortega and others rose up against the Somoza family dictatorship in the late 1970s, the rebels were woefully outgunned and they used homemade mortars of welded pipe to fire on security forces. Now those same artisanal weapons are being turned on Ortega's police and gangs of pro-government thugs. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 24, 2018 photo, an anti-government protester holds up his homemade mortar made of sections of pipes at a roadblock set up by protesters along the Panamerican Highway in Nagarote, Nicaragua. When President Daniel Ortega and others rose up against the Somoza family dictatorship in the late 1970s, the rebels were woefully outgunned and they used homemade mortars of welded pipe to fire on security forces. Now those same artisanal weapons are being turned on Ortega’s police and gangs of pro-government thugs. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 26, 2018 photo, a government supporter holds a Sandinista flag by a mural featuring Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega, Venezuela's late President Hugo Chavez, and Cuba's late leader Fidel Castro, during government event in Managua, Nicaragua. Amnesty International has issued a report accusing authorities of a strategy of repression characterized by the excessive use of force, extrajudicial executions, control of the media and the use of para-political groups to quash protests. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 26, 2018 photo, a government supporter holds a Sandinista flag by a mural featuring Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega, Venezuela's late President Hugo Chavez, and Cuba's late leader Fidel Castro, during government event in Managua, Nicaragua. Amnesty International has issued a report accusing authorities of a strategy of repression characterized by the excessive use of force, extrajudicial executions, control of the media and the use of para-political groups to quash protests. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 26, 2018 photo, a government supporter holds a Sandinista flag by a mural featuring Nicaragua’s President Daniel Ortega, Venezuela’s late President Hugo Chavez, and Cuba’s late leader Fidel Castro, during government event in Managua, Nicaragua. Amnesty International has issued a report accusing authorities of a strategy of repression characterized by the excessive use of force, extrajudicial executions, control of the media and the use of para-political groups to quash protests. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this June 6, 2018 photo, Guadalupe Ruiz poses for a portrait holding a photo of her artist son Donald Lopez, at her home in Masaya, Nicaragua. Ruiz's 27-year-old son was arrested by the national police during an anti-government protest where he told the officer who shot him: "If you are going to kill me, kill me," before being shot in the chest, said Executive Secretary of the Nicaraguan Pro-Rights Association, ANPDH, Alvaro Leiva. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this June 6, 2018 photo, Guadalupe Ruiz poses for a portrait holding a photo of her artist son Donald Lopez, at her home in Masaya, Nicaragua. Ruiz's 27-year-old son was arrested by the national police during an anti-government protest where he told the officer who shot him: "If you are going to kill me, kill me," before being shot in the chest, said Executive Secretary of the Nicaraguan Pro-Rights Association, ANPDH, Alvaro Leiva. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this June 6, 2018 photo, Guadalupe Ruiz poses for a portrait holding a photo of her artist son Donald Lopez, at her home in Masaya, Nicaragua. Ruiz’s 27-year-old son was arrested by the national police during an anti-government protest where he told the officer who shot him: “If you are going to kill me, kill me,” before being shot in the chest, said Executive Secretary of the Nicaraguan Pro-Rights Association, ANPDH, Alvaro Leiva. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this June 2, 2018 photo, an anti-government protester dressed in a lion costume to hide his identity sits at a barricade during clashes with police in Masaya, Nicaragua. The lion costume is normally used in this town during a traditional dance called "Los Diablitos," or The Devils, in honor of Saint Jeronimo at the end of November. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this June 2, 2018 photo, an anti-government protester dressed in a lion costume to hide his identity sits at a barricade during clashes with police in Masaya, Nicaragua. The lion costume is normally used in this town during a traditional dance called "Los Diablitos," or The Devils, in honor of Saint Jeronimo at the end of November. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this June 2, 2018 photo, an anti-government protester dressed in a lion costume to hide his identity sits at a barricade during clashes with police in Masaya, Nicaragua. The lion costume is normally used in this town during a traditional dance called “Los Diablitos,” or The Devils, in honor of Saint Jeronimo at the end of November. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 30, 2018 photo, a masked protester takes stock of his injury after an anti-government march was confronted by police government supporters in Managua, Nicaragua. The march was organized to mark mother's day, and honor those mothers' children who have died during ongoing anti-government street protests. Fifteen protesters died nationwide on this day, according to Francisco Diaz, the second in command of the national police. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 30, 2018 photo, a masked protester takes stock of his injury after an anti-government march was confronted by police government supporters in Managua, Nicaragua. The march was organized to mark mother's day, and honor those mothers' children who have died during ongoing anti-government street protests. Fifteen protesters died nationwide on this day, according to Francisco Diaz, the second in command of the national police. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 30, 2018 photo, a masked protester takes stock of his injury after an anti-government march was confronted by police government supporters in Managua, Nicaragua. The march was organized to mark mother’s day, and honor those mothers’ children who have died during ongoing anti-government street protests. Fifteen protesters died nationwide on this day, according to Francisco Diaz, the second in command of the national police. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this June 6, 2018 photo, an anti-government protester holds a handmade mortar at a roadblock in Ticuantepe, Nicaragua. Nicaragua's young generation does not know war, though their parents and grandparents struggle to reconcile their memories and loyalty to the Sandinista revolution with anger over what has been harsh repression against their children. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this June 6, 2018 photo, an anti-government protester holds a handmade mortar at a roadblock in Ticuantepe, Nicaragua. Nicaragua's young generation does not know war, though their parents and grandparents struggle to reconcile their memories and loyalty to the Sandinista revolution with anger over what has been harsh repression against their children. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this June 6, 2018 photo, an anti-government protester holds a handmade mortar at a roadblock in Ticuantepe, Nicaragua. Nicaragua’s young generation does not know war, though their parents and grandparents struggle to reconcile their memories and loyalty to the Sandinista revolution with anger over what has been harsh repression against their children. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 25, 2018 photo, people lower the coffin of Manuel de Jesus Chavez at the cemetery in Leon, Nicaragua. Chavez, 38, died during clashes with police as anti-government protesters blocked the Panamerican Highway. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 25, 2018 photo, people lower the coffin of Manuel de Jesus Chavez at the cemetery in Leon, Nicaragua. Chavez, 38, died during clashes with police as anti-government protesters blocked the Panamerican Highway. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 25, 2018 photo, people lower the coffin of Manuel de Jesus Chavez at the cemetery in Leon, Nicaragua. Chavez, 38, died during clashes with police as anti-government protesters blocked the Panamerican Highway. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 31, 2018 photo, young anti-government protesters squat behind a roadblock they set up near the Supreme Electoral Council, one holding his homemade mortar in Managua, Nicaragua. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega had long been able to count on students as some of the most reliable backers of his leftist administration, but many students turned on him, enraged by a deadly crackdown on street protests by police and Sandinista Youth gangs. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 31, 2018 photo, young anti-government protesters squat behind a roadblock they set up near the Supreme Electoral Council, one holding his homemade mortar in Managua, Nicaragua. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega had long been able to count on students as some of the most reliable backers of his leftist administration, but many students turned on him, enraged by a deadly crackdown on street protests by police and Sandinista Youth gangs. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 31, 2018 photo, young anti-government protesters squat behind a roadblock they set up near the Supreme Electoral Council, one holding his homemade mortar in Managua, Nicaragua. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega had long been able to count on students as some of the most reliable backers of his leftist administration, but many students turned on him, enraged by a deadly crackdown on street protests by police and Sandinista Youth gangs. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 20, 2018 photo, a university student poses for a picture wearing a mask to hide his identity, in front a defaced billboard of Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega and his wife, first lady and Vice President Rosario Murillo, outside the Agrarian University in Managua, Nicaragua. Pro-government billboards have become targets for protesters during demonstrations that were initially set off in mid-April by a since-canceled austerity plan for the security system but have expanded into demands for the Ortegas to give up power. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 20, 2018 photo, a university student poses for a picture wearing a mask to hide his identity, in front a defaced billboard of Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega and his wife, first lady and Vice President Rosario Murillo, outside the Agrarian University in Managua, Nicaragua. Pro-government billboards have become targets for protesters during demonstrations that were initially set off in mid-April by a since-canceled austerity plan for the security system but have expanded into demands for the Ortegas to give up power. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 20, 2018 photo, a university student poses for a picture wearing a mask to hide his identity, in front a defaced billboard of Nicaragua’s President Daniel Ortega and his wife, first lady and Vice President Rosario Murillo, outside the Agrarian University in Managua, Nicaragua. Pro-government billboards have become targets for protesters during demonstrations that were initially set off in mid-April by a since-canceled austerity plan for the security system but have expanded into demands for the Ortegas to give up power. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 25, 2018 photo, a youth fires a handmade mortar during the burial of Manuel de Jesus Chavez at the cemetery in Leon, Nicaragua. Chavez, 38, died during clashes with police as anti-government protesters blocked the Panamerican Highway. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 25, 2018 photo, a youth fires a handmade mortar during the burial of Manuel de Jesus Chavez at the cemetery in Leon, Nicaragua. Chavez, 38, died during clashes with police as anti-government protesters blocked the Panamerican Highway. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 25, 2018 photo, a youth fires a handmade mortar during the burial of Manuel de Jesus Chavez at the cemetery in Leon, Nicaragua. Chavez, 38, died during clashes with police as anti-government protesters blocked the Panamerican Highway. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 22, 2018 photo, a youth peers from under a large doll coined "La Gigantona," or The Gigantic, during a pro-government event in Managua, Nicaragua, where a billboard stands behind of President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo. Ortega held power in Nicaragua from the triumph of the Sandinista revolution in 1979 until 1990, when he lost an election, and again since winning back the presidency in 2007. To many Nicaraguans, it seems their election campaign never stopped, even growing in size and intensity as they planted billboard portraits and other ostentatious works across the country. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 22, 2018 photo, a youth peers from under a large doll coined "La Gigantona," or The Gigantic, during a pro-government event in Managua, Nicaragua, where a billboard stands behind of President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo. Ortega held power in Nicaragua from the triumph of the Sandinista revolution in 1979 until 1990, when he lost an election, and again since winning back the presidency in 2007. To many Nicaraguans, it seems their election campaign never stopped, even growing in size and intensity as they planted billboard portraits and other ostentatious works across the country. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 22, 2018 photo, a youth peers from under a large doll coined “La Gigantona,” or The Gigantic, during a pro-government event in Managua, Nicaragua, where a billboard stands behind of President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo. Ortega held power in Nicaragua from the triumph of the Sandinista revolution in 1979 until 1990, when he lost an election, and again since winning back the presidency in 2007. To many Nicaraguans, it seems their election campaign never stopped, even growing in size and intensity as they planted billboard portraits and other ostentatious works across the country. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this June 6, 2018 photo, an anti-government protester poses for a picture holding a homemade mortar at a roadblock set up by protesters in Ticuantepe, Nicaragua. How Nicaragua emerges from its political crisis will likely depend on the willingness of anti-government students to continue confronting President Daniel Ortega's government. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this June 6, 2018 photo, an anti-government protester poses for a picture holding a homemade mortar at a roadblock set up by protesters in Ticuantepe, Nicaragua. How Nicaragua emerges from its political crisis will likely depend on the willingness of anti-government students to continue confronting President Daniel Ortega's government. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this June 6, 2018 photo, an anti-government protester poses for a picture holding a homemade mortar at a roadblock set up by protesters in Ticuantepe, Nicaragua. How Nicaragua emerges from its political crisis will likely depend on the willingness of anti-government students to continue confronting President Daniel Ortega’s government. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 25, 2018 photo, the remains of Manuel de Jesus Chavez are driven to the cemetery in the back of a truck, in Leon, Nicaragua, after the 38-year-old was killed during clashes with police when anti-government protesters blocked the Panamerican Highway. More than 160 people have been killed in street clashes since the protests started in mid-April. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 25, 2018 photo, the remains of Manuel de Jesus Chavez are driven to the cemetery in the back of a truck, in Leon, Nicaragua, after the 38-year-old was killed during clashes with police when anti-government protesters blocked the Panamerican Highway. More than 160 people have been killed in street clashes since the protests started in mid-April. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 25, 2018 photo, the remains of Manuel de Jesus Chavez are driven to the cemetery in the back of a truck, in Leon, Nicaragua, after the 38-year-old was killed during clashes with police when anti-government protesters blocked the Panamerican Highway. More than 160 people have been killed in street clashes since the protests started in mid-April. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 30, 2018 photo, anti-government protesters carries letters that form the Spanish word for "Justice" during a march against the government of Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega, and his wife Vice President Rosario Murillo in Managua, Nicaragua. The Civic Alliance for Justice and Democracy, an umbrella group comprising private sector interests, civil society, students and farm workers, said it would sit down at the negotiating table with the government only if it means discussing Ortega and Murillo's exit. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 30, 2018 photo, anti-government protesters carries letters that form the Spanish word for "Justice" during a march against the government of Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega, and his wife Vice President Rosario Murillo in Managua, Nicaragua. The Civic Alliance for Justice and Democracy, an umbrella group comprising private sector interests, civil society, students and farm workers, said it would sit down at the negotiating table with the government only if it means discussing Ortega and Murillo's exit. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

In this May 30, 2018 photo, anti-government protesters carries letters that form the Spanish word for “Justice” during a march against the government of Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega, and his wife Vice President Rosario Murillo in Managua, Nicaragua. The Civic Alliance for Justice and Democracy, an umbrella group comprising private sector interests, civil society, students and farm workers, said it would sit down at the negotiating table with the government only if it means discussing Ortega and Murillo’s exit. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

Advertisements