Oct. 25 — Nicaraguan bread makers demonstrated in the city of Granada to protest new taxes and threats of price restrictions by President Daniel Ortega’s government.
“Ortega has made nothing better for us,” said Juan Lopez, president of the Association of Bread Bakers of Granada. High costs of basic ingredients such as flour and new taxes on electricity have raised production costs, said Lopez, who led the march of fewer than 100 bakers in the colonial city today.
The government said Oct. 23 that it will take “necessary measures” to prevent higher prices for basic foods. Lopez said that his group will stick with price increases of 50 percent implemented Oct. 21. The association now charges 15 cordobas (80 U.S. cents) for a loaf.
“The people support us,” said Lopez, whose association represents 1,884 bread makers in Nicaragua.
