Nicaraguans Protest Transport Hike
Hundreds of Nicaraguans peacefully protested the illegal rise in public transportation costs, energy cuts and the attempts to privatize services of potable water in Managua on Tuesday.

The march two-mile march ended at the National Assembly, well-guarded by the local police.

Convoked by the Workers National Front, the Universities National Council, student federations, the Communal Movement and the Association of Consumers, the aim was to pressure President Enrique Bolanos’ government and the unicameral Congress to find a definitive solution to the issue of public transportation in Managua.

Since the beginning of the year, transport workers have been demanding a million-dollar subsidy to counteract continuous fuel increases.

Due to the lack of government response, bus drivers increased the 14 cent cost established by law to 17 cents, which sparked violent student protests.

The end of the blackouts, affecting thousands of Nicaraguans for the past several weeks, and the lack of potable water in most of the capital neighborhoods, the latter considered a government strategy to authorize privatization of services, are also demanded.

Leaders of Students and Workers Federation warned they would go back to the streets until their demands are met.