Guatemala calls fires ‘terrorist acts’
GUATEMALA CITY — Guatemala’s government called fires set by protesters at Congress “terrorist acts,” while the Inter-American Human Rights Commission on Sunday condemned what it called an “excessive use of force” by police against demonstrators opposed to a new budget that slashes social spending.
Protesters broke into the Congress building and set an office afire Saturday, and they tossed rocks at police. Flames poured out of the building’s neoclassical facade.
Police used tear gas and nightsticks to push demonstrators back, attacking not only about 1,000 demonstrators in front of Congress but also a much larger protest at the country’s National Palace. Some protesters also damaged bus stations.
The commission said in its Twitter account that it “condemns the excessive use of force by authorities against demonstrators” but also asked for an investigation into “the acts of vandalism against Congress, after which State agents indiscriminately suppressed the protest.”
It said governments “must respect peaceful demonstration,” but when faced with violence, they “must identify persons — protesters or third parties — who risk rights or infringe State property. “
Demonstrations are growing against President Alejandro Giammattei and the legislature for approving a budget that cut educational and health spending. Lawmakers approved $65,000 to pay for meals for themselves, but cut funding for coronavirus patients and human-rights agencies.