Nicaragua braces for street violence

Several hundred students marched on Congress to protest at possible diversion of university funding initially proposed by the Sandinista National Liberation Front (Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional: FSLN) government of Daniel Ortega. Minor damage was caused to the building.

Legislators reportedly admitted that the proposals were a mistake, with Ortega expected to veto the related law. Local television also reported on 17 November that masked civilians were blocking streets, firing mortars and stopping cars elsewhere in central Managua.

Meanwhile, tensions were rising over planned marches on 21 November that could see pro- and anti-government protestors converging on the same road.