At least 13 people were injured in Nicaragua after clashes broke out between police and protesters who oppose the construction of a massive inter-oceanic canal project in the Central American country, RIA Novosti reported.

On Wednesday, Nicaragua’s deputy director of the federal police Francisco Diaz accused participants of protest actions of aggressive behavior towards the law enforcers in the settlements of Sardine and San Miguelito. Six policemen were injured in the protests.

Environmental lawyer Monica López denied the charges, saying that the police was to blame for collisions as a result of which seven farmers were also injured.

According to Lopez, the police officers used tear gas and rubber bullets against protesters. One of the injured participants of the actions is in serious condition.