Masked protesters, one with a Nicaraguan flag, yell from the road block they erected as they face off with security forces near the University Politecnica de Nicaragua (UPOLI) in Managua, Nicaragua, Saturday, April 21, 2018. Nicaragua's government said on Saturday it is willing to negotiate over controversial social security reforms that have prompted protests and deadly clashes this week. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)
The Associated Press
MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) - Nicaragua's president on Sunday withdrew changes to the social security system that had triggered deadly protests and looting.
President Daniel Ortega said in a message to the nation that the social security board of directors had canceled the changes implemented on April 16.
The overhaul was intended to shore up Nicaragua's troubled social security system by both reducing benefits and increasing taxes.
The changes touched off protests across the Central American nation that escalated into clashes with police as well as looting. The demonstrations appeared to expand to include broader anti-government grievances.
Human rights groups said at least 26 people were killed in several days of clashes. Dozens of shops in the Nicaraguan capital of Managua were looted during unrest that extended into Sunday.
Unlike his appearance on Saturday with the police chief, Ortega announced the cancellation of the overhaul accompanied by business executives who account for about 130,000 jobs and millions of dollars in exports.
Earlier in the day, Pope Francis said at the Vatican that he was "very worried" about the situation in Nicaragua and echoed the call of local bishops for an end to all violence.
Images broadcast by local news media showed looted shops in the capital's sprawling Oriental Market district and at least one Walmart.
Police apparently did not intervene Sunday, in contrast to what had been a strong response to earlier demonstrations in which dozens were injured or arrested.
"We are seeing social chaos in Nicaragua provoked by the absence of government leadership, and the crisis has been combined with poverty, and that in any society is a time bomb," sociologist and analyst Cirilo Otero said.
Ortega had said Saturday that he was willing to negotiate on the social security overhaul, but said the talks would be only with business leaders.
He seemed to try to justify the tough response against protesters by the government and allied groups, accusing demonstrators, most of them university students, of being manipulated by unspecified "minority" political interests and of being infiltrated by gangsters.
"The kids do not even know the party that is manipulating them. ... Gang members are being brought into the kids' protests and are criminalizing the protests. That is why they are put at risk," Ortega said.
Those remarks appeared to fan the flames, as soon afterward thousands of people spilled back into the streets in seven cities.
Looters walk away with a mattresses they have just lifted from a store in Managua, Nicaragua, Sunday, April 22, 2018. Dozens of shops in the Nicaraguan capital have been looted in the continuation of protests and disturbances sparked by government social security reforms. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)
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Looters walk away with a scooter they have just lifted from a store in Managua, Nicaragua, Sunday, April 22, 2018. Dozens of shops in the Nicaraguan capital have been looted in the continuation of protests and disturbances sparked by government social security reforms. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)
The Associated Press
People stand in front of a store that has just been forced open and looted, in Managua, Nicaragua, Sunday, April 22, 2018. Dozens of shops in the Nicaraguan capital have been looted in the continuation of protests and disturbances sparked by government social security reforms. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)
The Associated Press
Anti-government protesters pull down a statue that is emblematic of the government of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, at the Jean Paul Jennie round-about in Managua, Nicaragua, Saturday, April 21, 2018. Ortega said Saturday that his government is willing to enter into talks over social security reforms that have sparked four days of protests and clashes in which, rights monitors say, at least 25 people have died. A journalist covering the unrest was also killed. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)
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Anti-government protesters pull down one of two metal tree sculptures that are emblematic of the government of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, at the Jean Paul Jennie round-about in Managua, Nicaragua, Saturday, April 21, 2018. Ortega said Saturday that his government is willing to enter into talks over social security reforms that have sparked four days of protests and clashes in which, rights monitors say, at least 25 people have died. A journalist covering the unrest was also killed. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)
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An anti-government protester holds up the Spanish sign: "Nicaragua free" at the Jean Paul Jennie round-about where protesters pulled down a statue that is emblematic of the government of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, in Managua, Nicaragua, Saturday, April 21, 2018. Ortega said Saturday that his government is willing to enter into talks over social security reforms that have sparked four days of protests and clashes in which, rights monitors say, at least 25 people have died. A journalist covering the unrest was also killed. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)
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A young demonstrators walks past a barricaded door at a makeshift hospital inside the Polytechnic University of Nicaragua, UPOLI, in Managua, Nicaragua, Sunday, April 22, 2018. Demonstrators and students have barricaded themselves inside the university campus for several days with police and pro-government supporters laying siege, as protests and disturbances sparked by government social security reforms continued into Sunday. Human rights groups say at least 26 people have been killed in several days of clashes. (AP Photo/Alfredo Zuniga)
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