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Nicaraguan police raid offices of opposition newspaper

Nicaraguan police on Friday raided the offices of La Prensa, an opposition newspaper, according to reports.

The National Police said in a statement that the raid was related to an investigation into “customs fraud and money laundering,” and the offices remained in police custody, according to The Associated Press.

Nicaraguan police officers raiding the office of the newspaper La Prensa on August 13, 2021. REUTERS/Maynor Valenzuela
The National Police claimed the raid had to do with an investigation into “customs fraud and money laundering.” REUTERS/Maynor Valenzuela

The paper liveblogged and streamed video of the raid.

The paper has been critical of the country’s long-serving Sandinista president, Daniel Ortega, according to reports.

Circulation of the paper’s print edition will be interrupted, the paper’s board of directors said, according to Confidencial Nicaragua.

La Prensa is known to be critical of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega. REUTERS/Maynor Valenzuela
The newspaper’s circulation will be interrupted due to the raid. REUTERS/Maynor Valenzuela

The editor-in-chief, Eduardo Enríquez, told Confidencial the government’s accusations had no basis.

National elections are scheduled for this year. Ortega plans to seek a fourth term.