Timeline of the 2018 Nicaraguan protests

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Police responding to protests

The 2018 Nicaraguan protests began on 18 April 2018 following a move by the government of Daniel Ortega to reform social security. Following the deaths of protesters, demonstrations intensified and grew into a large anti-Ortega movement seeking his removal from office.

April

April 3–12, 2018 — Indio Maíz Reserve Fire

• April 3rd, A massive fire breaks out in the Indio Maíz Biological Reserve, one of Nicaragua’s most important protected areas. • The government’s slow and inadequate response to the environmental disaster sparks frustration. • On April 6th, Facebook pages posted a public appeal regarding the wildfires in Nicaragua’s Indio Maíz Biological Reserve, calling for international assistance due to the Nicaraguan government’s failure to act. • Environmental groups and university students begin organizing protests and social media campaigns using hashtags like #SOSIndioMaíz. • On April 10, influential social media figures urged the people to peacefully protest against the government. These protests are peaceful but quickly met with police repression and censorship. • Between April 5th and 12th, as well as in the following weeks of April, social media figures published alerts and critiques to raise public awareness, highlight the severity of the wildfires, and hold the Nicaraguan regime accountable for its failure to contain the disaster. Several posts were shared by thousands of followers, reaching a wider audience throughout the country. April 10–13, 2018 — Student-Led Protests Begin • Students hold protests in Managua and other cities demanding immediate government action on the fire. • On April, 10th, social media called for a protest at the University of Central America at 5:30 PM. • Mobilized by social media posts, students and sympathizers organized peaceful protests from April 10th to 13th. Students faced violent repression by military and police forces. One student was reported killed inside the UCA. • April 10th marks the first day of protests, in the Centro American University. (Universidad Centro Americana). The first protests lasted all night. On April 11th, the protest became a march along the main streets of several cities. In Managua, protesters were violently met by the police in the Plaza las Victorias. • The government blocks journalists and attacks student protestors, intensifying public outrage. • This marks the first wave of resistance, centered around environmental and freedom of expression concerns.


April 14-17, 2018 – Intensification of protests, increased violence

• Violent crackdowns began: Government-aligned groups (grupos de choque) and police used live ammunition, rubber bullets, and tear gas against demonstrators. • First deaths reported: At least 2 protesters were killed in Managua and León. • Barricades erected: Students and activists blocked roads in Managua to protest repression. • Pro-government mobs attacked protesters: Armed civilians (suspected of being Sandinista sympathizers) assaulted demonstrators, journalists, and clergy. • Catholic Church mediation: Bishops offered to facilitate dialogue between protesters and the Ortega government. • Death toll rose: Reports indicated over 10–20 killed since protests began on April 10. • International condemnation: The OAS and human rights groups denounced state violence.


April 17, 2018 — Social Security Reform Announced

• The government of President Daniel Ortega announces reforms to the social security system (INSS): Increases in worker and employer contributions. A 5% deduction from retiree pensions. • The move is widely viewed as unfair and harmful to vulnerable populations.

Sources: ReVista – Harvard Review of Latin America : https://revista.drclas.harvard.edu/my-experience-in-the-2018-nicaraguan-student-movement-paying-the-price-of-our-troubled-past/ Organization of American States . https://www.oas.org/es/cidh/decisiones/pdf/2018/91-18mc1060-18-ni.docx Human Rights Watch. https://www.hrw.org/report/2019/06/19/crackdown-nicaragua/torture-ill-treatment-and-prosecutions-protesters-and Confidencial news: https://confidencial.digital/english/timeline-nicaragua-eight-months-of-civic-rebellion/

Timeline by months

See also

References

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