Pope Francis Calls On Nicaraguan Gov't, Opposition To Find Peaceful Solution For Crisis

VATICAN CITY (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th March, 2019) Pope Francis on Sunday called on the Nicaraguan government and opposition to find a peaceful solution to the political crisis the country is currently grappling with.

"Since February 27, Nicaragua has been holding important talks to resolve the serious socio-political crisis in which the country finds itself. I will accompany this initiative with prayer and call on both sides to find a peaceful solution as soon as possible for the good of all," the pope said during his weekly address to the crowd gathered at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican.

On Thursday, the Nicaraguan government said it would release opposition prisoners within 90 days in order to progress with the peace talks, which had stalled since early March.

Nicaragua has been in a political crisis since April 2018 when people took to the streets to protest unpopular social security reforms announced by Ortega. Despite the president canceling the reforms a few days later, protests ensued with people redirecting their discontent at Ortega. According to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, 317 people were killed in approximately three months following the protests' outbreak. The Nicaraguan Foreign Ministry maintains that the number is 198.