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photo source: news.ro

Posted by: Mazur Rodica

News / International

22 Nov. 2020 / 09:26

Guatemala: Anti-government protesters set fire to the Congress building and demand the resignation of the president

Hundreds of anti-government protesters set fire to the Congress building in Guatemala City on Saturday, and law enforcement forces detained at least 22 people in a demonstration against President Alejandro Giammattei's Executive and Congress for approving the 2021 budget, news.ro writes.

Protesters vandalized and set fire to parts of the Congress building before being dispersed by law enforcement.

The building was empty on Saturday, but as a result of the attack, which lasted several minutes, several people were intoxicated with smoke.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze, and health officials said at least 20 people were injured in the rally, several dozen affected by tear gas fired by police, according to dw.com. People oppose the budget approved by Congress on Wednesday. The opposition says the budget prioritizes large infrastructure projects being managed by companies with ties to the government and overlooks the socio-economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In addition, they say, large cuts have been made in the budget allocated to education and health.

Another dissatisfaction is that the budget passed Parliament while the country was distracted by the effects of two devastating storms, Eta and Iota.

Protesters are calling on the president to resign.

Vice President Guillermo Castillo said before the protests that he opposes the budget and that both he and Giammattei should resign "for the good of the country."

On the other hand, on Twitter, President Alejandro Giammattei wrote that those who participated in these crimes will answer to the law.

Congress approved a $ 12.7 billion budget in the early hours of Wednesday.

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