Nicaragua: New talks explored but opposition sets conditions
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Nicaragua says it has held talks on restarting a long-stalled dialogue following political violence that left more than 300 dead last year, but opposition groups and civil society are demanding a raft of preconditions.
They include the release of people considered "political prisoners," a halt to what they call "repression" of government opponents, guarantees for freedom of expression following the closure of media outlets critical of the government, and the disbanding of armed, pro-government militias.
The government announcement late Saturday said it has had an "exchange" with a group of private businesspeople in the presence of two Roman Catholic Church figures on resuming talks over matters important to Nicaragua.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Roman Catholic Cardinal said President Daniel Ortega and his powerful vice president and first lady, Rosario Murillo, participated in the talks.