Thousands of Nicaraguan peasants are against the inter-oceanic canal project for fear of losing their land. As consequence, they left their communities, located in Juigalpa, to demonstrate against its construction. However, the Nicaraguan police, armed with tear gas, prevented thousands of them from participating in the protest.
They were blocked by the police, who settled in different access points, such as El Tule, La Lechera, Ochomogo bridge, while in some other places, officers placed trunks and metallic devices that explode tires, as denounced by lawyer Mónica López.
According to López, at least 20 demonstrators were temporarily detained, but the information has not been confirmed by authorities.
The demonstration was convened by the Council for the Defense of the Earth, Lake and Sovereignty, an organization that integrates producers and peasants located in the project area.
In June 2013, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega granted the right to build a 276-km inter-oceanic canal in the south of the country to the Hong Kong-Nicaragua Development Invesment (HKND) consortium.