Boiling Over

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Hundreds of protesters stormed Suriname’s parliament over the weekend to protest the government’s austerity measures, as the South American nation grapples with spiking inflation and rising electricity prices, the Associated Press reported.

Peaceful demonstrations began in the capital, Paramaribo, on Friday, with thousands of people criticizing the government for ending state subsidies on fuel and electricity on the recommendation of the International Monetary Fund.

They also demanded the resignation of President Chandrikapersad Santokhi.

But the situation escalated when protesters overwhelmed police and pushed into the country’s legislature.

The government condemned the incident and said the perpetrators will be brought to justice. At least 20 people were injured during the protests and more than 110 arrested, the AP wrote separately.

Leaders of the Caribbean Community known as CARICOM – which includes Suriname – also condemned the storming, according to the Miami Herald.

Suriname has been struggling with rising food costs and the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. Last year, it had an inflation rate of more than 54 percent.

The change in its subsidy policy has also caused conflict within the government: Last week, members of the Suriname National Party withdrew from the ruling coalition.