Skip to content

The photos that explain Nicaragua's crisis

29 May 2018

The Central American nation of Nicaragua has been embroiled in political unrest for more than a month, during which more than 70 people have died.

Reuters A man wearing a baseball cap, hockey mask, and draped in the national flag raises his home-made mortar in victorious salute in Managua, Nicaragua May 26, 2018. — The Central American nation of Nicaragua has been embroiled in political unrest for more than a month, during which more than 70 people have died.

Protests over social welfare cuts have evolved into violent clashes involving thousands of people. Initially, hundreds of protesters - mostly pensioners and students - took to the streets.

Reuters A demonstrator stands next to a graffiti that reads "Ortega Out" during a protest march against Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega's government in Managua, Nicaragua May 26, 2018 — Protests over social welfare cuts have evolved into violent clashes involving thousands of people. Initially, hundreds of protesters - mostly pensioners and students - took to the streets.

But the scale of the response, allegedly involving beatings by pro-government gangs, prompted thousands more to join them. The police response grew in kind, and the marches morphed into widespread anti-government rallies.

AFP Dozens of heavily armed police ride in the backs of trucks, shotguns at the ready, through the streets — But the scale of the response, allegedly involving beatings by pro-government gangs, prompted thousands more to join them. The police response grew in kind, and the marches morphed into widespread anti-government rallies.

Many police have been injured - but the deaths of dozens of protesters has angered many. One journalist was shot and killed while covering the violence live - by an unknown person - and others say they are being censored. Protesters say President Daniel Ortega is behaving like a dictator.

Reuters A riot police officer fires his shotgun towards two men during on a motorcycle on May 28, as the remains of a car burn brightly in the background — Many police have been injured - but the deaths of dozens of protesters has angered many. One journalist was shot and killed while covering the violence live - by an unknown person - and others say they are being censored. Protesters say President Daniel Ortega is behaving like a dictator.

On the side of the protesters, homemade mortars are a common sight. The smooth tubes are loaded with a projectile and explosive propellant, and fired by lighting a simple fuse.

AFP A protester fires a homemade mortar during clashes with riot police. The small welded tubes are hand-held — On the side of the protesters, homemade mortars are a common sight. The smooth tubes are loaded with a projectile and explosive propellant, and fired by lighting a simple fuse.

Meanwhile, the security forces have been using tear gas and rubber bullets but also live ammunition. A report by the Inter American Commission of Human Rights accused the government of a disproportionate use of force and said it could not rule out extrajudicial killings. The report also denounced the torture and arbitrary detention of protesters.

AFP A riot police officer fires a weapon during clashes with students taking part in a protest in Managua on May 28, 2018 — Meanwhile, the security forces have been using tear gas and rubber bullets but also live ammunition. A report by the Inter American Commission of Human Rights accused the government of a disproportionate use of force and said it could not rule out extrajudicial killings. The report also denounced the torture and arbitrary detention of protesters.

The use of mortars has always been a common feature of political demonstrations in Nicaragua. This woman fired one dramatically at a rally to show her support for President Ortega's FSLN party. During these protests, however, they have also been used as a weapon by both sides, sometimes with deadly consequences.

AFP A woman fires a home-made mortar vertically into the air during a pro-government rally — The use of mortars has always been a common feature of political demonstrations in Nicaragua. This woman fired one dramatically at a rally to show her support for President Ortega's FSLN party. During these protests, however, they have also been used as a weapon by both sides, sometimes with deadly consequences.

President Ortega's supporters have staged counter-demonstrations. Mr Ortega claims criminals and gang members have infiltrated protest rallies, while his wife - and vice-president - has previously said police violence is a "legitimate defence against a tiny group" of troublemakers.

Reuters Supporters of the president wave his party's flags and carry well-designed professionally-printed signs - a stark contrast to the images of the protests — President Ortega's supporters have staged counter-demonstrations. Mr Ortega claims criminals and gang members have infiltrated protest rallies, while his wife - and vice-president - has previously said police violence is a "legitimate defence against a tiny group" of troublemakers.

Young people and students have been a major driving force in the protests. Here, they can be seen blocking off the Pan-American highway in Leon.

Reuters A young man, holding his homemade mortar, stands atop a makeshift wall, flanked by a dozen others. All wear face coverings. — Young people and students have been a major driving force in the protests. Here, they can be seen blocking off the Pan-American highway in Leon.

Some student populations have blocked off their entire universities, manning the barricades - like this wall at the entrance to the National Agrarian University.

Reuters Demonstrators stand at a barricade blocking the entrance of the National Agrarian University (UNA) during a protest against President Daniel Ortega's government — Some student populations have blocked off their entire universities, manning the barricades - like this wall at the entrance to the National Agrarian University.

In April Pope Francis called for an end to the violence - yet it has grown far worse since. Nuns seen here were taking part in a remembrance ceremony for the victims. Amid all the unrest, the country's dominant Catholic Church has attempted to step in and mediate in the dispute.

Reuters Nuns are seen wearing headbands in the country's national colours — In April Pope Francis called for an end to the violence - yet it has grown far worse since. Nuns seen here were taking part in a remembrance ceremony for the victims. Amid all the unrest, the country's dominant Catholic Church has attempted to step in and mediate in the dispute.

That attempt at mediation failed last week - and the anti-government rallies erupted again last weekend with thousands taking to the streets.

Reuters A demonstrator poses for a photo with his homemade mortar pointed directly at the camera, face covered by a cloth mask of a woman's face — That attempt at mediation failed last week - and the anti-government rallies erupted again last weekend with thousands taking to the streets.

Nicaragua to investigate protest deaths

Nicaraguan protesters call on Ortega to go

US embassy relatives to leave Nicaragua

Nicaragua reporter killed on Facebook Live