Church spokesman Daniel Woodruff released the following statement on May 22:

“Due to growing political instability in Nicaragua, the Church is in the process of transferring 169 missionaries out of that country. This includes 37 missionaries from the Nicaragua Managua North Mission, all of whom were nearing the end of their service and will return home. In the Nicaragua Managua South Mission, 20 missionaries will return home while 112 missionaries will be temporarily reassigned to other missions in North America, South America, and the Caribbean. All 158 missionaries remaining in Nicaragua are being moved to areas that are safe.

The Church will continue to closely monitor conditions and developments in Nicaragua. We pray for the people there as they navigate this difficult time in their country.”

At least 76 people have been killed and nearly 900 wounded during a month of protests that were often violently repressed by police and government groups, CBS News reported Tuesday. Edison Lanzas, the commission’s freedom of expression reporter, said that the government had confirmed the death toll.