Nicaraguan forces storm barrio, destroy churches; ‘it is a genocide,’ says priest
July 19, 2018
Nicaraguan police and pro-regime paramilitary forces stormed the indigenous community of Monimbó, a center of opposition to the President Daniel Ortega’s repressive regime.
“This is a barrio of humble people, an indigenous barrio of working people,” Father Augusto Gutiérrez, who ministers in Monimbó, told a Spanish radio station.
“The paramilitaries entered the barrio,” he continued. “There have been four hours of attack with heavy military weapons, destroying the churches … It is a genocide. It has no other name.”
Noting that the people were using homemade weapons to defend themselves, Father Gutiérrez appealed to the Spanish government and the international community for help.
He pleaded, “Do not let us die!”
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
- El grito de auxilio de un sacerdote nicaragüense: “¡No nos dejen morir!” (COPE)
- Il nunzio apostolico in Nicaragua chiede la ripresa del dialogo (L’Osservatore Romano, p. 1)
- Nicaraguan police storm anti-government stronghold (Reuters)
- Nicaraguan Forces Violently Retake Symbolic City After Bloody Anti-Government Protests (Time)
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!