At Least 20 Injured in Protests Against Nicaragua Interoceanic Canal

Some 300 demonstrators, mainly farmers from the villages through which the construction will pass, blocked the Managua – San Carlos highway Wednesday to protest the construction of a canal that will link the Pacific Ocean with the Caribbean Sea.

MEXICO, December 25 (Sputnik) —At least 20 people have been injured and 33 arrested as special units of Nicaraguan law enforcement agencies dispersed hundreds of demonstrators protesting the construction of a canal that will link the Pacific Ocean with the Caribbean Sea, the Mexican Notimex news agency reported, citing the chief of the Nicaragua Police.

"No one has died," Aminta Granera said as quoted by Nomitex, referring to an earlier report that four people had been killed during the clashes between protesters and police. She added, however, that 15 police officers and five civilians have been injured and 33 demonstrators were arrested.

According to the official some 300 demonstrators, mainly farmers from the villages through which the construction will pass, blocked the Managua – San Carlos highway Wednesday to protest the construction of the enormous inter-ocean waterway. Granera said the protesters threatened to blow up a large fuel tank.

Construction on the $50 billion canal began Monday, December 22. The opening ceremony was marred by a large protest demonstration. The 173-mile-long canal is expected to become an alternative to the Panama Canal, situated about 370 miles south.