Thousands of Guatemalans protested on Sunday to demand the president resign over accusations that he ordered a lawyer killed, a scandal threatening the rule of the country’s first leftist leader in more than 50 years.
Supporters of President Alvaro Colom staged a counter-demonstration. Many were farmers and workers who have benefited from his social programs.
Colom denies Rodrigo Rosenberg’s allegations, which were broadcast posthumously after the attorney was shot to death a week ago. He has dismissed calls for his resignation and asked the FBI and a UN panel to investigate the killing.
PHOTO: AP
“Get out! Get out!” protesters chanted at the headquarters of the Guatemala City government. Dressed in white, many were from the middle and upper classes that make up the bulk of opposition to Colom.
“This is a civic movement of Guatemalans who are seeking peace. We are tired of violence, ineptitude and corruption in Guatemala,” said Jorge Briz, the president of the country’s chamber of commerce.
At the plaza in front of his offices, Guatemala City Mayor Alvaro Arzu lowered the Guatemalan flag to half-staff and raised a black flag to mourn Rosenberg.
Protesters said they collected more than 25,000 signatures for a petition to demand that Congress strip Colom of his immunity from prosecution.
The demonstrators canceled a 15-block march to the National Palace to avoid colliding with the thousands of Colom supporters who filled the nearby Constitution Plaza and spilled over into the surrounding streets.
“He’s staying! He’s staying! The president is staying!” the Colom backers chanted. Many were from the impoverished countryside that has been a stronghold of support for the embattled leader.
“He’s with the poor,” said Juan Gonzalez, who traveled to the capital from rural Guatemala.
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