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February 22, 2019

Nicaragua: Ortega Vows to Reopen Talks as Opposition Demands Prisoner Release
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In news from Latin America, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has vowed
to reopen talks with political opponents for the first time in seven
months. The umbrella opposition group Civil Alliance for Justice said it
will take part in the talks. The group said a key demand will be the
release of hundreds of government critics who have been jailed over the
past year. Meanwhile, a Nicaraguan farm leader who helped organize
protests against Ortega last year has been sentenced to 215 years in
prison. Medardo Mairena was convicted in December of terrorism, murder
and organized crime.


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