Nicaragua: Riot Police Evict Striking Doctors

MANAGUA, Nicaragua
Riot police stormed a government building Friday and evicted about 200 striking doctors who invaded it hours earlier in an effort to force President Enrique Bolanos to restart wage negotiations.

Officers used batons to beat some doctors who resisted as they moved into the Finance Ministry building, then bused the doctors to police stations. Dr. Rommel Hurtado, one of the strike leaders, said police also fired tear gas during the confrontation.

The doctors, who work for Nicaragua's public health services, began striking in November. More than 2,000 doctors haven't worked since then, paralyzing all but emergency services at 32 hospitals and 100 public health clinics around the country.

The doctors say their monthly salaries of about $500 are the lowest in Central America, and are demanding a 30 percent raise. Bolanos has said the government can't afford that.

Five doctors began a hunger strike 11 days ago at the Nicaraguan headquarters of the Red Cross.

Private hospitals and doctors' offices have remained open throughout the strike, and public service doctors are still working in emergency rooms and providing critical care at government hospitals.

Doctors occupied the Health Ministry two months ago, and police used force to evict them.