“A state of siege” is how human rights groups and the political opposition are describing a police presence in the area surrounding the ‘El Limón’ mine in León department after officials were sent in on 16 October to recover control of what is one of Nicaragua’s three main mining areas. The police deployment followed clashes which took place the previous week at the mine (owned by Canadian company, B2Gold Corp.), over a labour dispute which left one police officer dead and 31 people injured, forcing the mine’s temporary closure. As well as reigniting concerns regarding police repression, the clashes come as the government led by President Daniel Ortega was forced to cancel a mining project also owned by B2Gold Corp, for failing to meet environmental standards, serving as the latest sign of challenges to the ruling Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional (FSLN) government in developing the sector.End of preview - This article contains approximately 750 words.
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