Brenes called on the government and members of civil society to avoid any violence and damage to public or private property to set the right atmosphere for productive dialogue.

Five of Nicaragua's private broadcasters have also returned to the air after having their signals interrupted during the height of the protests. The last was 100% Noticias, which regained its signal on Monday.

Miguel Mora, director of the outlet, said, "This is the triumph of the people and the banishment of censorship."

On Sunday, Ortega backed off a social security overhaul that would have increased contributions and reduced pensions. The changes had triggered protests that soon spread beyond the social security system. Human rights groups say at least 30 people were killed in the violence and some 150 protesters were arrested.

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Pablo Cuevas of the Permanent Commission on Human Rights accused police of violating students' due process and being guilty of beatings and theft.

"Everything related to the detention, beatings, robberies and abuses by the police we're going to document and take to the international human rights organizations," Cuevas said.

The White House released a statement condemning "the violence and repression propagated by the government of Nicaragua and any closing of media." It called for dialogue and democratic reforms.

Ortega has maintained an uneasy relationship with the United States, toning down his Cold War rhetoric but forging close ties with US adversaries such as the late Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez and his successor Nicolas Maduro.

AP, Reuters