GUATEMALA CITY — One individual died and at the least two extra have been injured by gunshots close to a pro-democracy demonstration in Guatemala on Monday, native authorities mentioned.
Victor Gomez, spokesman for the volunteer firemen in Malacatan, close to the border with Mexico, mentioned it was not clear whether or not the victims have been protesters themselves, or simply caught close by.
The incident marked the start of a 3rd week of demonstrations towards Legal professional Common Consuelo Porras, who protesters accuse of trying to undermine a preferred vote for progressive President-elect Bernardo Arévalo.
Movies from Malacatan circulating on social media painted a chaotic image. Some seem to point out civilians and law enforcement officials fleeing as bursts of gunfire are heard. In a single recording, a automobile and a police patrol are burning. It’s not clear who fired the photographs.
In response to the incident, Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei mentioned authorities have been “finishing up corresponding investigations” and promised extra particulars sooner or later.
The Nationwide Police later introduced the arrest of 11 individuals.
The Inside Division mentioned in a press release that after the assault it coordinated a seek for the automobiles concerned and located three wounded individuals, nevertheless it made no point out of a dying.
Arévalo took to the social community X, previously often known as Twitter, to sentence the violence. “We demand that the authorities guarantee the protection of those that peacefully exhibit and assure that this act doesn’t go unpunished,” he mentioned.
The incident is the most recent violent episode after 15 days of protests and roadblocks within the Central American nation.
On Sunday, Porras’ supporters in Guatemala Metropolis known as for violence towards demonstrators blocking roads. Then on Monday, different social media movies appeared to point out individuals in civilian clothes carrying machetes attacking protestors at three roadblocks within the township of El Asintal, Retalhuleu, just below 55 miles (90 kilometers) southwest of Malacatan.
Porras herself has known as for the roadblocks to be cleared, utilizing power if needed, “within the public curiosity.” On Monday she urged the federal government to sack Inside Secretary Napoleón Barrientos for failing to take action.
Demonstrators preserve that after Arévalo’s victory within the August runoff election, Porras mounted an undemocratic problem towards Arévalo, his left-wing Seed Motion celebration and electoral authorities. They’ve known as for the resignation of Porras, prosecutors Rafael Curruchiche and Cinthia Monterroso, and Choose Fredy Orellana.