Violence at protests in Nicaragua leaves 2 more dead

MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) – Protesters opposed to President Daniel Ortega’s government clashed with riot police and Sandinista Youth groups in cities across Nicaragua Saturday, with demonstrators burning tires and setting up barricades in violence that left two people dead and dozens injured.

Videos released by protesters on social media showed two people who had apparently been shot in the head during demonstrations in Masaya, a town 20 miles (30 kilometers) southeast of the capital, Managua. The local Red Cross confirmed two deaths in a statement.

In a live transmission on social media a young man is seen crying and carrying an apparently lifeless body, saying: “Crazy, they shot him in the head, he fell and they kicked him on the ground! He was a child.”

A masked protestor waves a Nicaraguan national flag in front of a burning barricade, as protestors clashed with riot police in the Monimbo district of Masaya, Nicaragua, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Protests began in April as students demonstrated against a social security reform. Many are now demanding that President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo leave office. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)

A masked protestor waves a Nicaraguan national flag in front of a burning barricade, as protestors clashed with riot police in the Monimbo district of Masaya, Nicaragua, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Protests began in April as students demonstrated against a social security reform. Many are now demanding that President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo leave office. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)

A masked protestor waves a Nicaraguan national flag in front of a burning barricade, as protestors clashed with riot police in the Monimbo district of Masaya, Nicaragua, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Protests began in April as students demonstrated against a social security reform. Many are now demanding that President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo leave office. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)

Besides Masaya, protests were also reported in Chinandega, Granada, Leon, Managua, Masaya and Rivas in the Pacific region, as well as in Esteli and Matagalpa in the north.

The demonstrations began in April as protests against social security reforms but have expanded into calls for the Sandinista president to step down.

Ortega addressed Nicaraguans in a brief message Saturday, describing events in Masaya as painful and calling for an end to the violence.

“Peace is the path and the only door to coexistence and respect for the tranquility and security of us all,” he said.

Government spokeswoman and Vice President Rosario Murillo said the government has agreed to start a national dialogue mediated by the Roman Catholic Church as soon as possible.

Before Saturday’s deaths and several other deaths reported on Thursday, a human rights group estimated 63 people had been killed.

A framed photograph that shows Rosario Murillo, second from right, the first lady and vice president of Nicaragua, set on fire by protesters, burns during clashes with riot police in the Monimbo district of Masaya, Nicaragua, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Protests began in April as students demonstrated against a social security reform. Many are now demanding that President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo leave office. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)

A framed photograph that shows Rosario Murillo, second from right, the first lady and vice president of Nicaragua, set on fire by protesters, burns during clashes with riot police in the Monimbo district of Masaya, Nicaragua, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Protests began in April as students demonstrated against a social security reform. Many are now demanding that President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo leave office. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)

A framed photograph that shows Rosario Murillo, second from right, the first lady and vice president of Nicaragua, set on fire by protesters, burns during clashes with riot police in the Monimbo district of Masaya, Nicaragua, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Protests began in April as students demonstrated against a social security reform. Many are now demanding that President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo leave office. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)

A protester who says he was injured by a rubber bullet fired by riot police shows his wound during clashes in the Monimbo district of Masaya, Nicaragua, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Protests began in April as students demonstrated against a social security reform. Many are now demanding that President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo leave office. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)

A protester who says he was injured by a rubber bullet fired by riot police shows his wound during clashes in the Monimbo district of Masaya, Nicaragua, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Protests began in April as students demonstrated against a social security reform. Many are now demanding that President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo leave office. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)

A protester who says he was injured by a rubber bullet fired by riot police shows his wound during clashes in the Monimbo district of Masaya, Nicaragua, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Protests began in April as students demonstrated against a social security reform. Many are now demanding that President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo leave office. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)

Protestors pick up rocks to throw as they clash with riot police and government supporters in the Monimbo district of Masaya, Nicaragua, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Protests began in April as students demonstrated against a social security reform. Many are now demanding that President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo leave office. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)

Protestors pick up rocks to throw as they clash with riot police and government supporters in the Monimbo district of Masaya, Nicaragua, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Protests began in April as students demonstrated against a social security reform. Many are now demanding that President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo leave office. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)

Protestors pick up rocks to throw as they clash with riot police and government supporters in the Monimbo district of Masaya, Nicaragua, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Protests began in April as students demonstrated against a social security reform. Many are now demanding that President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo leave office. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)

Protestors run past a burning barricade as they clash with riot police and government supporters in the Monimbo district of Masaya, Nicaragua, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Protests began in April as students demonstrated against a social security reform. Many are now demanding that President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo leave office. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)

Protestors run past a burning barricade as they clash with riot police and government supporters in the Monimbo district of Masaya, Nicaragua, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Protests began in April as students demonstrated against a social security reform. Many are now demanding that President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo leave office. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)

Protestors run past a burning barricade as they clash with riot police and government supporters in the Monimbo district of Masaya, Nicaragua, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Protests began in April as students demonstrated against a social security reform. Many are now demanding that President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo leave office. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)

Protestors by a barricade flee from tear gas as they clash with riot police and government supporters in the Monimbo district of Masaya, Nicaragua, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Protests began in April as students demonstrated against a social security reform. Many are now demanding that President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo leave office. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)

Protestors by a barricade flee from tear gas as they clash with riot police and government supporters in the Monimbo district of Masaya, Nicaragua, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Protests began in April as students demonstrated against a social security reform. Many are now demanding that President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo leave office. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)

Protestors by a barricade flee from tear gas as they clash with riot police and government supporters in the Monimbo district of Masaya, Nicaragua, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Protests began in April as students demonstrated against a social security reform. Many are now demanding that President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo leave office. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)

Protestors throw rocks as they clash with riot police in the Monimbo district of Masaya, Nicaragua, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Protests began in April as students demonstrated against a social security reform. Many are now demanding that President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo leave office. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)

Protestors throw rocks as they clash with riot police in the Monimbo district of Masaya, Nicaragua, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Protests began in April as students demonstrated against a social security reform. Many are now demanding that President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo leave office. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)

Protestors throw rocks as they clash with riot police in the Monimbo district of Masaya, Nicaragua, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Protests began in April as students demonstrated against a social security reform. Many are now demanding that President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo leave office. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)

A man runs with a piece of burning wood used to light handmade mortars, as protestors clash with riot police and government supporters in the Monimbo district of Masaya, Nicaragua, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Protests began in April as students demonstrated against a social security reform. Many are now demanding that President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo leave office. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)

A man runs with a piece of burning wood used to light handmade mortars, as protestors clash with riot police and government supporters in the Monimbo district of Masaya, Nicaragua, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Protests began in April as students demonstrated against a social security reform. Many are now demanding that President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo leave office. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)

A man runs with a piece of burning wood used to light handmade mortars, as protestors clash with riot police and government supporters in the Monimbo district of Masaya, Nicaragua, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Protests began in April as students demonstrated against a social security reform. Many are now demanding that President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo leave office. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)

A protestor carries munitions for a homemade mortar hidden behind a mask, as protestors clash with riot police and government supporters, in the Monimbo district of Masaya, Nicaragua, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Protests began in April as students demonstrated against a social security reform. Many are now demanding that President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo leave office. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)

A protestor carries munitions for a homemade mortar hidden behind a mask, as protestors clash with riot police and government supporters, in the Monimbo district of Masaya, Nicaragua, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Protests began in April as students demonstrated against a social security reform. Many are now demanding that President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo leave office. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)

A protestor carries munitions for a homemade mortar hidden behind a mask, as protestors clash with riot police and government supporters, in the Monimbo district of Masaya, Nicaragua, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Protests began in April as students demonstrated against a social security reform. Many are now demanding that President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo leave office. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)

Protestors take cover behind a barricade as they clash with riot police in the Monimbo district of Masaya, Nicaragua, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Protests began in April as students demonstrated against a social security reform. Many are now demanding that President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo leave office. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)

Protestors take cover behind a barricade as they clash with riot police in the Monimbo district of Masaya, Nicaragua, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Protests began in April as students demonstrated against a social security reform. Many are now demanding that President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo leave office. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)

Protestors take cover behind a barricade as they clash with riot police in the Monimbo district of Masaya, Nicaragua, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Protests began in April as students demonstrated against a social security reform. Many are now demanding that President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo leave office. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)

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