Nicaraguan government forces have launched raids to clear protesters' barricades in towns in the south-east of the country, leaving at least 10 dead.
Human rights organisations say at least six civilians were killed along with four members of the security forces.
The operation targeted the city of Masaya and several smaller communities and neighbourhoods in the area.
The EU, Colombia, Chile and Ecuador criticised the government's actions.
Alvaro Leiva, the head of Nicaraguan Association For Human Rights (ANPDH), said at least 22 vehicles carrying government security forces had arrived in the area.
Labelled “Operation Clean-up” by the government, it concentrated on the city of Masaya, nearby Niquinohomo and Catarina villages and the neighbourhood of Monimbo.
Mr Leiva warned people in the city of Masaya to stay indoors, saying “there are sharpshooters stationed at different places around the city”.
Earlier he said police had not been allowing the wounded to reach hospitals in the area.
One resident in Masaya told the French news agency AFP: “We are being attacked by the…
