Guatemala VP calls on president to resign with him
SONIA PÉREZ D.
Fri, 20 November 2020, 8:35 pm GMT-6·1-min read
GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — Guatemala’s vice president told President Alejandro Giammattei that both men should resign their positions “for the good of the country” following the approval of a budget cutting educational and health spending that caused a public outcry.
“We both resign,” Vice President Guillermo Castillo said he told Giammattei Friday. He had suggested vetoing the approved budget, firing government officials and attempt more outreach to various sectors around the country.
Giammattei had not responded publicly and Castillo did not share the president’s reaction to his proposal. Castillo said he would not resign alone.
Discontent had been building over the new 2021 budget on social media and then generated clashes with police Friday in front of the congress. A large protest march was scheduled for Saturday in the capital.
The spending plan was negotiated in secret and approved by the congress before dawn Wednesday. It also passed while the country was distracted by the fallout of two consecutive hurricanes that brought torrential rains to much of Central America.
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Source: BBC
22 November 2020
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.
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.
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Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-55031455
Clouds of smoke shoot out from the Congress building after protesters set a part of it on fire, in Guatemala City, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. Hundreds of protesters were protesting in various parts of the country Saturday against Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei and members of Congress for the approval of the 2021 budget that reduced funds for education, health and the fight for human rights. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
