Unrest and protests against President Ortega’s govt continued for third month with increased civil disobedience matched by growing govt use of paramilitary forces. Over 200 reported killed since anti-govt protests began 16 April; govt continued to blame “criminals” for violence. Police 3 June ended siege of church in protest stronghold Masaya after local priests intervened; protesters took refuge in church after police and pro-govt militia attacks reportedly left two dead. Thousands of market vendors in capital Managua declared state of civil disobedience 4 June. Protesters 11 June held general strike in second city León which developed into nationwide strike 14 June; three protesters died in clashes with pro-govt forces. Nicaraguan Catholic Episcopal Conference (CEN) Church 13 June agreed to mediate new round of talks. Govt and civil society groups 15 June agreed to halt violence; govt agreed to invite representatives of Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, UN high commissioner for human rights and EU to investigate killings during protests, while protesters agreed gradual removal of makeshift defensive roadblocks. However, truce broken after alleged arson attack on apartment building by pro-govt militia left six dead in Managua 16 June. Police and pro-Ortega gunmen reportedly shot dead two protesters at roadblock same day. CEN and opposition 18 June abandoned negotiations, blaming govt for breaking promise to invite international organisations; various bishops joined protesters’ demands for Ortega to step down. Civil society leaders from Masaya city 18 June announced decision to not recognise President Ortega, setting up five-member Council of National Salvation. Security forces and allied-militias 19 June killed three protesters while clearing barricades during operations to regain control of Managua; clashes between protesters and govt forces left at least six dead 22-24 June. Negotiations between govt and opposition resumed 25 June. Thousands 30 June marched to commemorate children and teenagers killed during protests; two marchers reportedly killed by pro-Ortega forces. Pope Francis 3 June expressed sorrow for serious violence “carried out by armed forces to repress social protests”.

Continued unrest following April anti-govt protests and violent crackdown, with at least eleven killed and scores injured as security forces reportedly fired on protesters during 30 May mass protest led by mothers of those killed since start of violence in April; Associated Press also reported that some demonstrators used improvised weapons. Earlier, tens of thousands 10 May protested in capital Managua, and in Matagalpa and Chinandega; two protesters killed during clashes with police 12 May. Govt 13 May agreed to allow independent inquiry into events since mid-April. Govt and opposition 18 May agreed week-long truce following church-mediated talks, but talks broke down 23 May; fresh protests and accompanying violence left eight dead 25-27 May. Responding to 30 May violence, Catholic Church condemned violence and said it was abandoning talks. Inter-American Commission on Human Rights 21 May accused police of excessive force against anti-govt protesters, claiming 76 killed since mid-April; govt claimed figure was sixteen.

Student- and civil society-led protests erupted in capital and other cities after govt 16 April introduced reforms to social security system cutting pension benefits and raising tax, prompting tens of thousands to take to streets; protests also venting fury over President Ortega’s authoritarian rule and close family grip on power, with calls for his resignation. UN human rights office 24 April said at least 25 people killed during protests, citing concerns over reports of unlawful killings, and alleged excessive use of force by security forces; other sources said more than 60 killed; fatalities included journalist Angel Gahon, shot dead 21 April while reporting on protests in city of Bluefields (south east). Ortega 24 April withdrew controversial changes in effort to restore peace. Dozens of arrested student protesters released same day; some accused police of torture and other ill-treatment while in custody. International observers condemned govt crackdown, including UN, Organization of American States and Pope Francis; Nicaraguan Church 24 April agreed to mediate between civil society and Ortega.

Preliminary ruling by International Court of Justice called for Nicaragua and Costa Rica to remove all security forces from disputed border region; both sides accepted ruling. Final verdict on disputed region expected to take 4 years.

Tensions continued to simmer over border dispute with Costa Rica, but both countries 17 Dec accepted Guatemalan offer to mediate; mediation to start Jan.

Tensions flared with Costa Rica after govt 14 Nov ignored OAS resolution urging withdrawal of all forces from disputed border island Calero, where Managua sent troops early month; Costa Rica 19 Nov brought case to International Court of Justice.

Supporters of President Ortega 20 Apr staged violent protest outside Managua hotel where opposition parties, which together hold parliamentary majority, attempted to overturn controversial executive order extending terms of pro-govt Supreme Court judges; opposition met in hotel after protestors blocked access to parliament. OAS expressed “profound worry” at situation.

Opposition liberal party (PLC) agreed to rejoin Congress 16 Jan, ensuring quorum; ended months of political deadlock after opposition accused ruling Sandinista party of fraud in Nov 2008 municipal elections. Decision came after President Ortega 16 Jan agreed to pardon ex-president Arnoldo Aléman (PLC) from 20-year corruption sentence. Aléman said will run for president 2011.

Political situation still deadlocked after opposition accused ruling Sandinista party of fraud in Nov municipal elections. Congress paralysed throughout month, unable to approve 2009 budget; President Ortega 30 Dec passed heavily modified budget by decree, condemned by opposition as “akin to coup d’état”. Opposition 4 Dec failed in bid to get Congress to declare elections invalid. U.S., EU partially suspended aid until crisis resolved; U.S. 16 Dec said further sanctions possible if no solution in 90 days.

Violent protests throughout month after opposition accused ruling Sandinista party of electoral fraud in 9 Nov municipal elections. Sandinistas officially won 94 of 146 mayoralties, but independent national observers reported widespread irregularities at polling stations. President Ortega during run-up denied OAS observers access, barred 2 opposition parties from running. Supreme electoral council (CSE) 13 Nov ordered recount of key Managua vote. Pro- and anti-govt street protests throughout month sporadically violent, dozens injured.