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Don't Go To Nicaragua, Officials Warn After Evacuating U.S. Embassy Amid Deadly Riots

Associated Press
People on a motorcycle pass a burning barricade during clashes near the University Politecnica de Nicaragua (UPOLI) in Managua, Nicaragua, Saturday, April 21, 2018.

The U.S. government stripped its embassy in Nicaragua down to bare-bone operations Monday after five days of deadly protests around the country, despite Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega's efforts to calm his tempestuous nation.

The State Department on Monday ordered nonessential employees and all embassy family members to leave Nicaragua.

In a public statement, the Department of State also warned travelers to "reconsider travel to Nicaragua due to crime and civil unrest."

"Demonstrations typically elicit a strong response that has in the past included the use of tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets, and live ammunition against participants and occasionally have devolved into looting, vandalism, and acts of arson," officials said. "Violent crime, such as sexual assault and armed robbery, is common. Police presence and emergency response are extremely limited outside of major urban areas."

Read more at our news partner, the Miami Herald.

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