Nicaragua’s Ortega Defends Arrests, Blasts U.S. in Speech

Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega defended recent arrests of government opposition figures and criticized the U.S. for interfering in the nation’s affairs in his first public appearance in more than a month.

“We aren’t trying candidates. We are trying criminals that have attacked the country, the security of the nation, attacked the lives of citizens and tried to organize a coup in order to provoke regime change,” Ortega said in a speech Wednesday night. “That’s what were are investigating, and they will be punished to the full extent of the law.”