Nicaragua has experienced a peak of violence in recent days, as a result of which at least 17 people have been killed in the cities of Diriamba and Jinotepe and dozens of people have been assaulted, including representatives of the Catholic Church. The latter were performing mediation tasks in the two affected cities, which were besieged by alleged supporters of the Nicaraguan Government.

 

 

"This tragedy adds new victims to the already intolerable number of deaths and injuries that have been taking place since April. We, Socialists, express our rejection of all forms of violence, particularly of violence that is aimed at citizens who peacefully exercise their right to protest. To use force against civilians goes against the basic principles of democracy and the State of Law: a legitimate government must not exercise this type of repression or allow anyone to exercise it on their behalf, since respect for human rights and the freedom of speech of those who disagree with the government are precisely the sources of its legitimacy."

 

 

"The government of Nicaragua must turn all its efforts to the negotiating table, guaranteeing full respect for all the rights of opposition representatives and their families, including the Catholic Church. Only through honest dialogue will it be possible to put an end to this situation of chaos and violation of the most basic rules of democratic coexistence and create a peaceful future for Nicaragua. A government that claims to be Socialist cannot be a repressive one."