AMERICA/NICARAGUA - Clashes over land concern the Bishops of Bluefields: "there will be no solution if there is violence"

Thursday, 10 September 2015

Bluefields (Agenzia Fides) - The situation of violence that has intensified recently in the Caribbean region of Nicaragua, the territory of the Vicariate of Bluefields, worries its Pastors. Although the Bishop of Bluefields is in Carazo for a retreat with his clergy, His Exc. Mgr. David Albin Zywiec Sidor, O.F.M. Cap., Auxiliary Bishop of the Vicariate, deplored the violence that caused death, hatred and destruction.
In the note sent to Fides, Mgr. Zywiec appeals to the institutions and the people to seek solutions through peaceful means: "We must not allow violence among brothers, and we must seek justice through the institutions that apply the law. The solution will never come with violence". The Bishop has asked the central government to act as soon as possible, otherwise the escalation of violence will continue and spread to other territories.
In fact, several indigenous groups of communities that border with Honduras, in the Waspam area, near the River Coco, have decided to organize themselves to throw out the mestizo settlers in what they consider their ancestral territory. After organizing themselves, on Sunday 6 and Monday, September 7 they gave rise to an action of armed expulsion to those they call "invaders". There were clashes among groups in the indigenous wanky Li Auhbra territory.
The first report of the police informs of 3 dead and five seriously injured, 18 houses burned and many others destroyed. Families have fled but reprisals are feared, because the settlers have began defending their property and land. While the indigenous have managed to have all kinds of firearms, including AK47 and AR15 powerful military rifles, settlers cannot still arm themselves. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 10/09/2015)


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