ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay – Protesters clashed with police in the capital of Paraguay, Asunción, late Friday as anger erupted over the government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis and forced the resignation of the country’s top health official.
Security forces fired rubber bullets and tear gas at hundreds of protesters, who gathered around the convention building as protesters tore down security barricades, set off roadblocks and pelted police with stones.
The protests erupted amid growing outrage as coronavirus infections reached record levels and hospitals across Paraguay collapsed.
‘It’s a shame young people have taken it too far. These are people who just want to destroy, “Interior Minister Arnaldo Giuzzio told the Televuturo television channel. “This violence does not make sense.”
Earlier Friday, Health Minister Julio Mazzoleni resigned, a day after lawmakers demanded his removal.
Mazzoleni is the latest of several top health officials in Latin America to be forced out of their jobs over the past few weeks amid growing anger over the handling of the pandemic and the slow implementation of vaccinations.
To replace him, President Mario Abdo Benítez hired dr. Julio Borba, a Deputy Minister, appointed. Mr. Borba told reporters he would immediately locate medicine and supplies.
Paraguay is posting record numbers daily, according to a Reuters report, with 115 infections per 100,000 people reported over the past seven days. According to Reuters, the country has vaccinated less than 0.1 percent of its population.