Paraguay congress set on fire amid presidential controversy

Demonstrators in Paraguay have set fire to the country’s Congress amid violent protests against a bill that would let the president seek re-election.

Protesters stormed the legislature, breaking windows and fences.

The country’s 1992 constitution, introduced after 35 years of dictatorship, strictly limits the president to a single five-year term.

But sitting President Horactio Cartes is attempting to remove the restriction and run for re-election.

Protesters were photographed setting fire to barricades in the streets of Asuncion, near the congress building, on Friday night.

The AFP news agency said the protesters had managed to break into the building and “ransacked” the offices of those who backed the bill, setting several fires.

Source: Paraguay congress set on fire amid presidential controversy – BBC News