Pastor and five family members murdered in Nicaragua

The deep socio-political crisis in Nicaragua has led to the death of almost 200 people since mid-April.

An evangelical pastor, his wife and four other family members (two children) were murdered by a pro-government paramilitary group. They threw Molotov cocktails against the house and burnt it down.

Pastor Óscar Velásquez Pavón and his wife Maritza López had refused to open their home to Sandinist para-military forces that are supporting President Daniel Ortega in the clashes with opposition groups across the country.

Authorities identify the bodies after the attack. / Wilih Narváez, La Prensa

The criminal group wanted to use the third floor of the house of the Christian family to have snipers shooting against a planned demonstration of the opposition in the neighbourhood.

The paramilitary group set the house on fire when eight people were inside the house, killing Pastor Velásquez, his wife Maritza, son Alfredo, daughter-in-law Mercedes, and grandchildren Mathías (3 months old) and Daryeli (3 years old).

Two other family members were able to escape the house.

Relatives, church members, and friends mourn the murdered family members. / Wilih Narváez, La Prensa

On Sunday, the church Christian Centre Apostolic Ministry of Bello Horizonte mourned the victims amidst prayers, deep pain and calls for justice, Christian magazine Maranata explained.

Nicaragua is suffering a severe crisis after a failed reform of the Social Security system started protests against President Ortega, who has been in power for 11 years and has been denounced of corruption and other abuses against the population.