Summary Assault in municipality of Bluefields took place when the gang attempted to free one of their own
MANAGUA (AFP) - A criminal gang attacked and killed five police officers on Nicaragua s southern Caribbean coast, one of the Central American country s most violent regions, authorities said.
The assault in the municipality of Bluefields took place when the gang attempted to free one of their own, who had been arrested, according to a statement.
Saturday s attack came as a police unit was moving the detained gang member who, together with the perpetrators, managed to get away.
Three police volunteers were among the five fatalities.
Police have launched a search operation in an attempt to find the fugitive and killers.
Nicaragua s southern Caribbean region is considered one of the country s most violent due to property disputes, poverty and the presence of criminal groups, according to reports by the area s Catholic church.
Overall, Nicaragua has a homicide rate of 8.7 per 100,000 inhabitants, one of the lowest in Central America.
