2020 Guatemalan protests

2020 Guatemalan protests
Part of COVID-19 pandemic in Guatemala, Hurricane Eta and Hurricane Iota
Date21 November 2020 (2020-11-21)
Location
Guatemala City
(and other areas within the country)
Caused by
Goals
Methods
Resulted in
  • Use of tear gas by security forces
  • Damage to the National Congress building

On November 21, 2020, protests began in Guatemala City and several other parts of the country in response to the passing of a controversial budget bill by Congress in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and the aftermath of Hurricanes Eta and Iota. More than 7,000 protesters gathered in the capital city to demonstrate against the bill, which included cuts to education and health spending and increased funding for meals and expenses for lawmakers. During the protests in Guatemala City, social media reports showed a fire burning inside a window of the National Congress building.