(ANSA) - ASUNCION, 08 MAR - The president of Paraguay, Mario Abdo Benítez, will have to announce today the names of the new ministers who will take the place of the officials who have left their posts in the context of the institutional crisis caused by a series of demonstrations across the country , to ask for the renunciation of the head of state and to criticize the executive's policy against the coronavirus.
The protests began on Friday and continued into the early hours of this Monday.
Last week, Health Minister Julio Mazzoleni submitted his resignation, while the President relieved Education Minister Eduardo Petta, Cabinet Chief Juan Ernesto Villamayor and Women's Minister Nilda Romero from their posts.
The protests, carried out mainly by young people, began on Friday after an appeal through social networks.
On Sunday, the demonstration began in the afternoon in front of the official residence of the Mburivichá Roga palace, in Asunción, with slogans such as "all go, there is no one left" calling for the resignation of the president and also the vice president, Hugo Velázquez.
During the night, a part of the demonstrators moved to Avenida España, where the villa of the former president Horacio Cartes is located, also from the PartidoColorado of the president but opponent of Abdo Benítez.
The health crisis due to the coronavirus pandemic is at one of the most critical moments in Paraguay, where Covid-19 has caused the deaths of 3,318 people and 168,043 infections.
In recent days, health workers have reported lack of medical supplies in hospitals and delays in the arrival and administration of coronavirus vaccines.
Another demonstration was called for this Monday afternoon, when the announcement of the new ministers is expected and while the official position of the political group "Honor Colorado", dissident sector of the ruling party that could support a majority to start, in Parliament , an impeachment against Abdo Benitez.
(HANDLE).