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Guatemala: Congress on fire after protesters storm building | Guatemala: Congress on fire after protesters storm building |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Flames rose from the building's large windows | Flames rose from the building's large windows |
Hundreds of anti-government protesters in Guatemala have vandalised and set fire to parts of the Congress building, before being dispersed by riot police. | Hundreds of anti-government protesters in Guatemala have vandalised and set fire to parts of the Congress building, before being dispersed by riot police. |
The building in Guatemala City was empty at the time of Saturday's attack, which lasted for about 10 minutes. | |
The fire services put the fire out, but several people were treated for the effects of smoke inhalation. | |
The protesters are opposed to a budget approved by Congress of the Central American country on Wednesday night. | |
An office inside the building went up in flames - but the overall extent of the damage is not known | |
A number of protesters were detained by police | |
The opposition says the budget prioritises big infrastructure projects to be handled by companies with government connections and overlooks the social and economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. | The opposition says the budget prioritises big infrastructure projects to be handled by companies with government connections and overlooks the social and economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. |
They are also angered by what they describe as major cuts to education and health spending. | |
How virus is threatening Central America's lifeline | How virus is threatening Central America's lifeline |
Storm Eta kills at least 50 in Guatemala | Storm Eta kills at least 50 in Guatemala |
Conservative elected Guatemalan president | Conservative elected Guatemalan president |
Guatemala country profile | Guatemala country profile |
Another key complaints is that the budget was passed by parliament while the rest of the country was distracted by the after-effects of two damaging storms, Eta and Iota. | |
The protesters are now pressing for President Alejandro Giammattei to resign. | |
The bulk of Saturday's demonstrations, which some observers said were the biggest yet against the budget, were peaceful. | |
Vice-President Guillermo Castillo earlier expressed his opposition to the budget, and said that both he and Mr Giammattei should step down "for the good of the country". | |
"We have nothing... I am in pain" – Central America is counting the cost of Storm Eta | "We have nothing... I am in pain" – Central America is counting the cost of Storm Eta |