Nicaraguan general says NGOs pushed for coup

MANAGUA, Nicaragua – The head of Nicaragua’s army has said unnamed non-governmental organizations tried to get members of the armed forces to remove President Daniel Ortega in a coup last year.

Gen. Julio Avilés offered no other details about the alleged plot. Speaking during an event celebrating the 40th anniversary of the army Monday evening, Avilés said it was something they would never do.

Ortega and his wife Vice-President Rosario Murillo were both present.

The military had largely stayed on the sidelines of the unrest that began in April 2018. Police and paramilitary forces attacked protesters.

The Inter-American Human Rights Commission has said at least 325 people died in the violence.

Former army Major Roberto Samcam, who is exiled in Guatemala, says the army did provide weapons to police and paramilitaries.