NICARAGUAN President Daniel Ortega broke his silence and ruled out early elections as thousands attended a rally for peace in the capital Managua yesterday.

Mr Ortega rejected demands from violent right-wing opposition groups which have demanded the resignation of both himself and Vice-President Rosario Murillo.

He told supporters that there were “rules set by the constitution of the republic, through the people.

“You don’t just change them overnight because a group of coup plotters got the idea to do so.”

Talks are set to continue this week in an attempt to bring peace to Nicaragua, which has seen violent unrest escalating since mid-April following protests over pension reforms.

Armed opposition gangs have sought to exploit tensions, attacking supporters of the Sandinista government and setting up roadblocks across the country, damaging Nicaragua’s economy.

The president rejected a suggestion by the Catholic Church, which is mediating the talks, to bring forward elections scheduled for 2021 to March next year.

“We shall see if the people will give their vote to the coup plotters, who in these past weeks have carried out so much violence.

“There will be a time for elections. Everything has its time,” he said.

Mr Ortega branded those seeking to destabilise Nicaragua as “murderers and criminals” at the rally, and Ms Murillo warned that the “terrorists and their financial backers” would be brought to justice.

The rally rejected violence, with Mr Ortega telling the crowds: “This evening, this march of various kilometres, we are full of love, we are here to combat and bury hatred.”

He warned against attempts by opposition groups to destabilise the economy.

“There are those who wish to put the chains back on the nation. There are those who believe that because the majority of the nation is a nation of workers, honest and humble, they confuse humility with ignorance.

“We are a humble but brave people. In these weeks, in these next couple of days, we unleash once again a battle for peace,” Mr Ortega told supporters.

At least 214 people have been killed since mid-April according to the government-initiated Truth, Justice & Peace Commission, which was established to investigate the violence sweeping the country.