Demonstration against the austerity and austerity measures imposed by the government of Suriname has occasionally developed. A crowd of protesters clashed with security forces in the capital Paramaribo and after breaking through the police cordon, stormed the National Assembly building.

Thousands of people poured into the streets of Paramaribo early in the morning to protest price increases in food, fuel and electricity, while accusing the government of corruption.

Around midday, angry protesters threw bottles and stones at police, who used tear gas and plastic bullets to push them back. Some protesters managed to break through the police cordon and storm the National Assembly.

Riots broke out in the center of the capital, where shops were looted and cars set on fire. The French News Agency (AFP) reports that many people were injured during the incidents.

“I have three children to feed and I work two jobs. Every day the prices are going up,” said Agnes who participated in the demonstration.

Another protester says President Sandonhi should resign. “He keeps telling us there is light at the end of the tunnel. But I see only darkness. I can no longer pay for the necessities, go to work or send my children to school,” he explains.

President Chan Sadohi’s government condemned the violence and announced an investigation into those who orchestrated and launched the attack on the National Assembly.

The US embassy in Suriname condemned the attack, calling it an “unacceptable attack on democracy”.

Suriname, a small South American country with a population of almost 600,000, has been plunged into economic crisis due to high inflation (54.6% in 2022) and unsustainable external debt. The former Dutch colony is pinning its hopes for economic recovery on the exploitation of newly discovered oil fields.