OEA says Nicaragua not a dictatorship as death toll rises

Nicaraguan left-wing President Daniel Ortega's government is not a dictatorship but must stop the deadly repression of anti-government protests, according to the Organization of American States (OEA).

Pension and social security reform plans triggered the protests in April and the country has since been rocked by violent clashes between government supporters and protesters who want to see an end to Ortega's reign, which started in 2007. Ortega canceled the reform plans after the protests broke out.

Cuba and Venezuela are the only countries in Latin America that are dictatorships, OEA secretary general Luis Almagro told La Voz de América, when asked about protesters' demands that OEA brand Ortega a dictator.

Violence flared up again on Wednesday with several more casualties, bringing the death toll to more than 90 since protests began, according to the BBC.

"Yesterday, Nicaragua experienced another tragic day, of repression, violence and death. We condemn the killings carried out by the repressive forces and the armed forces and we express our solidarity with the families of the victims. We call on the state to stop the violence by these repressive factors," said Almagro in a press release on Thursday.

"The only political path forward for Nicaragua is democratic, through free, transparent, fair elections that represent the will of the people. That is the only solution for the people of Nicaragua," said Almagro, adding that the "most senior people responsible for these events" must be brought to justice.

Almagro said the OEA is in talks to create a group of independent experts to investigate the deaths. "That task must begin as soon as possible."

The Catholic Church recently tried to mediate between the government and opposition groups but those efforts failed to stop the violence.