; illegal and arbitrary detentions; practices of torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment; censorship and attacks on the press; and other forms of intimidation ; Whereas, on May 21, 2018, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights of the Organization of American States emphatically condemn[ed] the deaths, attacks and arbitrary detentions of students, demonstrators, journalists and other citizens that have occurred in Nicaragua since the beginning of the protests ; Whereas, on May 23, 2018, Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes declared that talks had been suspended between the Ortega regime, the opposition, and civil society; Whereas, on May 29, 2018, Amnesty International released a report entitled Shoot to Kill: Nicaragua’s Strategy to Repress Protest , which documented the lethal use of weapons, specifically noting that gunshots fired by pro-government groups were aimed to kill and targeted specific individuals; Whereas, on May 30, 2018, a peaceful Mother's Day protest turned deadly, with an estimated 16 people killed and 88 injured during clashes; Whereas, on June 15, 2018, the National Dialogue resumed, resulting in a ceasefire agreement; Whereas, the next day, on June 16, 2018, armed irregular groups killed 6 members of a family in an arson attack against their home and business; Whereas, on June 18, 2018, the Department of State released a statement that affirmed, The United States condemns the ongoing government-sponsored violence and intimidation campaign in Nicaragua … We urge immediate and full implementation of the June 15 National Dialogue agreement on human rights. ; Whereas the June 2018 statement released by the Department of State stated, We note the widespread call among Nicaraguans for early elections. The United States believes early elections represent a constructive way forward.