Guatemala (AP Photo / Oliver De Ros)
Human caravan crosses the border between Honduras and Guatemala: the hope is to reach the USA
Guatemala, conservative Giammattei is the new president
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November 22, 2020Hundreds of protesters set fire to a wing of parliament to demand the resignation of conservative president Alejandro Giammattei, after the approval of a budget law that has sparked indignation in the Central American country where 60% of the population lives in poverty.
Several people have sought medical assistance for intoxication from the fumes produced by the flames.
Police detained about 20 protesters and nearly 50 were sent to hospital for injuries sustained in the clashes.
One of them is in serious condition.
Protests are targeting a lack of resources to fight the coronavirus epidemic and anger over the record $ 13 billion budget law passed by the Congress, dominated by conservatives, which allocates funds mainly for infrastructure related to large companies without measures to fight poverty.
Another peaceful demonstration to ask for a step back from Giammattei took place in front of the old government building.
The crowd waved national flags and displayed signs with slogans such as "Enough corruption" and "they took the wrong generation head on".
In a tweet, 64-year-old Giammattei denounced the attack on Congress and threatened legal repercussions: "I reiterate that you have the right to demonstrate in compliance with the law but we cannot allow vandalism against public or private property".
"Anyone who proves to have participated in these criminal acts will feel the full force of the law."