Asuncin, Paraguay – Protesters in the Paraguayan capital, Asuncion, clashed with police late Friday night as anger over the government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis erupted in the streets and forced the resignation of the country’s top health official.
Security forces fired rubber bullets and tear gas at hundreds of protesters gathered around the Congress building, while protesters broke through security barriers, set fire to roadblocks and pelted police with stones.
Protests erupted amid outrage as coronavirus infections reached record levels and hospitals in Paraguay collapsed.
“It’s very sad that young people have taken it so far. They are people who seek only to destroy, “Interior Minister Arnold Gizio told the Telefutoro television channel.” This does not mean violence. “
On Friday, Health Minister Julio Mazzolini resigned, a day after lawmakers called for his removal.
Mr Mazzolley has been the latest in a series of recent Latin American health officials who have been forced out of their jobs in recent weeks amid growing outrage over epidemic control and the slow rollout of vaccinations.
He was replaced by President Mario Abdo Benitez de Jul Julio Borba, Deputy Minister. Mr Borba told reporters he would immediately start exploring for medicine and supplies.
According to Reuters, Paraguay is posting a record number of cases every day with 115 infections per 100,000 people in the last seven days. According to Reuters data, less than 0.1 percent of the country’s population has been vaccinated.
