MANAGUA: Nicaragua’s Vice President Rosario Murillo has called protestors against new pension reform “vampires demanding blood”.
On Thursday, the police officer and a young protester were shot dead in the Nicaraguan capital, Managua, while another youth was shot in the city of Tipitapa.
At least five people, including a police officer, have been killed in the protests since they began on Wednesday, according to the authorities, and dozens of people have been wounded.
The National Police said the officer was killed Thursday by a shotgun blast and the protester died as a result of “a dispute between gangs.” It identified the protester as a student at the National Polytechnical University in Managua.
Demonstrations initially erupted in Managua and León but soon spread to at least 10 other cities, including Granada, Masaya and Matagalpa.
Videos circulating on social media sites have shown protesters, wearing motorcycle helmets for protection, throwing rocks and homemade fire bombs at armed riot police officers.
The reforms, which went into effect on Wednesday, apply a 5% tax to old-age and disability pensions and increase the contributions paid by both employees and employers.The wave of unrest is the biggest since President Daniel Ortega took power in 2007.
Among the modifications to the pension system, both employees and employers must contribute more to the social security system, and retirees will see a reduction in their pensions, as more money will be taken out to cover medical expenses.
