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Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega Refuses To Resign Amid Protests

Ortega said he wouldn't step down because he was democratically elected.

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega Refuses To Resign Amid Protests
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Nicaragua's president is refusing to step down amid violent protests calling for his resignation. 

In an interview on Fox News on Monday, President Daniel Ortega described the violence enveloping parts of his country as "terrorism." He blamed the deadly protests on paramilitary groups backed by drug traffickers and opposition groups. 

In April, demonstrators started protesting government reforms that increased social security contributions and cut some benefits. 

The government eventually reversed the reforms, but the protests continued and people demanded Ortega step down. Human rights groups say hundreds of people have been killed in the unrest. 

During his Fox News interview, Ortega said he wouldn't step down because he was democratically elected; he also said he wouldn't consider holding early elections.