Families demand information on relatives jailed in Nicaragua

Relatives of 16 Nicaraguan opposition figures jailed in recent weeks are demanding that President Daniel Ortega’s government let them see their loved ones, know where they are and how they are doing

MANAGUA, Nicaragua -- Relatives of 16 Nicaraguan opposition figures jailed in recent weeks demanded Thursday that President Daniel Ortega’s government let them see their loved ones, know where they are and how they are doing. The families said during a virtual news conference that they believe most if not all of the prisoners are in the infamous El Chipote prison in Managua, where many of those detained for participating in street protests in 2018 were taken. In 2018, families could at least line up outside to take their relatives food and medicine, but this time many families say they don’t know where their relatives are. The majority are above age 50 and some suffer from chronic illnesses. “It’s been 11 days without seeing him, they don’t let him talk to his lawyer and they only let us bring him water. Why, because he’s been beaten?” asked Cristian Tinoco, daughter of the former deputy foreign minister Víctor Hugo Tinoco. Police arrested him June 13.