Nicaraguan troops surround opposition stronghold

Nicaraguan government security forces on Tuesday occupied an opposition stronghold in a suburb of the capital Managua, redoubling their efforts to defeat protesters following three months of political violence.

By James Blears

Nicaraguan police and pro-government militias are sweeping the Managua suburb of Masaya, removing baracades and confronting pockets of resistance.

The local police chief says this on the direct orders of President Daniel Ortega, stressing: "Masaya is ours."

On Thursday, Nicaragua celebrates the 39th anniversary of the Sandinista Revolution, and authorities are determined to gain a coinciding upper-hand through what some would say is an iron fist.

The wife of President Daniel Ortega, Vice President Rosario Murillo, is condemning the protesters as: "A hate filled minority." She has vowed that security, and with it law and order, will be restored.

It's a predictable reaction to their calls for the pair to resign and for immediate elections to be held.

What started as a protest over pension cuts has festered into a wound that's inflamed the body politic of Nicaragua.

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