Guatemala: Riot police deployed after ex-soldiers storm congress building over wartime bonus claims

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Dozens of police and firefighters responded outside the National Congress in Guatemala City after a group of ex-soldiers stormed the area on Tuesday.

Hundreds of ex-military personnel rushed into the grounds of the country’s legislative body to demand compensation for their services in the army during the 1960-1996 civil war.

The veterans, who were apparently carrying machetes, sticks and stones, stormed the parliamentary building where they burned legislative offices, five cars and three motorbikes, according to officials who attended the scene. Many of the attackers either fled or were forced out by security forces who were rushed to the scene.

SOT, Police Officer (Spanish): “This was an attack with machetes and sticks, it is a situation that totally changes the scenario, here is a journalist injured with a machete, he has a head injury, well, what else do we want to know, this is an attack on our police officers.”

SOT, Firefighter (Spanish): “Several fire-fighting units and supplies were mobilised from this location to extinguish the fire inside the congress car park, which consumed five vehicles and two motorbikes, and in the surrounding area several people were also treated for tear gas intoxication.”

SOT, Allan Rodriguez, President of Guatemalan Congress (Spanish): “First of all, we repudiate all acts of violence, all acts of violence, we really reject this type of attitude, this is no longer a demonstration, these are acts of criminality, it is really an abuse, I ask the public prosecutor’s office for a thorough investigation to find those responsible, we know the names of the people who are in front of the organisation, which has become a criminal organisation by carrying out this type of action, and we hope that the full weight of the law will fall on these criminals.”

Adequate economic compensation for veterans of the civil war was one of Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei’s campaign promises in his 2019 election campaign.

#Guatemala #NationalCongress

Video ID: 20211020-014

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