Protesters in Guatemala burned down the country's Congress building over the weekend as demonstrations escalated following the approval of next year's annual budget.
Protests erupted after Congress approved new budget cuts that would reduce funding to the country's education and health sectors.
Police were unable to stop protesters from raiding the Congress building in Guatemala City over the weekend. Videos of the legislative building in flames were posted on social media with protesters calling on the government to end corruption.
"We are outraged by poverty, injustice (and) the way they have stolen the public's money," one protester said.
Anger over the approval of the country's budget resulted in demonstrations late last week. Guatemalans were angered by the approval of increased spending for politician's allowances and a decrease in funding for the country's pandemic response and human rights agencies.
According to local news reports, at least 10,000 people marched to the National Palace in the country's capital demanding that the budget be revised and for corrupt officials to step down. Protesters claimed the approval of the budget showed how corrupt the government had become.
Protesters claimed that the budget was negotiated and passed "in secret" and while most of the country was distracted by the fallout of hurricanes Iota and Eta. Guatemala's human rights prosecutor Jordan Rodas alleged that the budget favored ministries historically known for being corrupt.
Protesters also set bus stations on fire. The fire inside the legislative building reportedly destroyed several offices but the main hall of Congress was spared.
President Alejandro Giammattei condemned the protesters and promised to punish those responsible. Giammattei said on Twitter he understood the people's plight but vandalizing and destroying public property was a crime.
Vice president Guillermo Castillo offered to resign. Castillo said he was willing to veto the budget and called on the government to remove officials suspected of corruption.
