Thousands of demonstrators gathered
Saturday in a central Nicaraguan city
to protest the construction of a $50
billion canal that will run through their
land'
The protesters waved Nicaraguan flags
and shouted "No to the canal"They accused
President Daniel Ortega of selling the country
to China by allowing the waterway's construction.
Chinese firm Hong Kong Nicaragua
development Investment (HKND) is behind
the massive canal project,
Canal opponents mainly farmers whose
lands lies on the waterway's planned route,
gathered from across the country in the
central city of Juigalpa,
Estimates put the number of participants
at around 15,000 although authorities were
not able to confirm that figure.
HKND received a concession from Ortega
in 2013 to build the 280 kilometer canal
The project was inaugurated in December
but digging will nt begin until 2016 sheduled
for completion in 2019 the canal is expected
to displace some 30,000 people,mainly poor
farmers and indigenous peoples,but could
be a major financial boon for the central
American nation.
HKND is expected to employ 50,000 people
over five years of contruction. the canal route
crosses Lake Nicaragua and runs through
rainforest and at least 40 villages,
AFP
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