MANAGUA, July 23, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Nicaragua’s bishops are to forge on with
mediating talks aimed at resolving their country’s political and economic
crisis despite President Daniel Ortega claiming they are siding with the
opposition, Managua’s auxiliary bishop said Sunday.
The senior clergymen, grouped under the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua
(ECN), intended to push on with their role even though “calling for dialogue
right now is going to be difficult given the confrontational attitude of the
government and slanderous language against the church,” Bishop Silvio Baez
told reporters.
The talks, though currently stalled, are attempting to end violence and
repression in Nicaragua that has claimed more than 280 lives in the past
three months.
Ortega on Thursday claimed the bishops were helping protesters demanding
his ouster that he has labeled “satanists” and “terrorists.”
He also alleged churches in Nicaragua, a deeply Catholic country, were
being used to shelter rebels and weapons, something the bishops deny.
The president’s claims poured cold water on efforts the bishops have been
making since May to broker talks between Ortega’s government and opposition
groups including students, unions and the business sector. The last full
session of talks took place over a month ago, on June 15.
A key demand of the opposition is that Ortega and his wife, Vice President
Rosario Murillo, step down and elections due for 2021 be brought forward to
next year.
The Organization of American States backs early elections. The United
States has also said it is contemplating more sanctions on Nicaragua to
pressure Ortega’s government.