All diplomatic representations of Costa Rica in Nicaragua will close next Friday in virtue of a national strike called by different sectors in response to the socio-political crisis in that country.
The Embassy of Costa Rica in Managua confirmed they’ll join the initiative as a security measure for users. Those who have appointments scheduled for that day will be received on Monday and Tuesday of next week.
In order to increase pressure against the government of Daniel Ortega, the so-called Civic Alliance for Democracy and Justice called for a national strike for this Friday. It is the second strike convened in the middle of the crisis, after the one held on June 14th with a great reception of employees and workers.
The upsurge in violence claimed at least 14 lives last weekend. The situation put the dialogue to solve the crisis on the brink of rupture, after more than 300 dead in almost three months of protests.
Heavy clashes between riot and paramilitaries against opposition protesters occurred on Sunday in the cities of Jinotepe and Diriamba (southwestern), a day after Ortega ruled out having early elections.
The Catholic Church, which mediates between the government and the opposition Civic Alliance for Justice and Democracy, proposed having early elections from 2021 to March 2019 in order to get out of the turbulence that surrounds the country since the protests broke out on April 18th. However, Ortega rejected this possibility.
The national strike implies the temporary cessation of activities of all kinds, including commercial activity.