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Published: Friday, 31 May 2019 07:52

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Photo: RCHTegucigalpa, May 31.- Tens of thousands of people marched in Honduras to demand the resignation of President Juan Orlando Hernández, in one of the most numerous protest days since the end of 2017.

Tens of thousands of people marched in Honduras on Thursday to demand the resignation of President Juan Orlando Hernandez, in one of the largest protest days since the end of 2017, when the president was re-elected in a vote qualified as fraudulent by the opposition.
The demonstrators, who filled the main roads of Tegucigalpa and the country, also protested against the alleged privatization of public health and education services. Some were repressed with tear gas by the military and police.
To the chorus of "the dictatorship will fall", tens of thousands of young people joined the first day of a national strike, which will last until Friday and was convened by a Platform for the Defense of Education and Public Health, led by leaders of the educational and medical guilds.

The march forced the closure of the Toncontín international airport, south of Tegucigalpa, for a few hours, and diverting flights to alternative terminals, said its spokesman.
A police patrol was burned in the vicinity of the airport and a cargo truck was burned on a highway in the north of the country. Riot forces evicted the blockades on several of the nation's roads with tear gas, said the Ministry of Security spokesman.

The so-called Platform for the Defense of Education and Public Health, which suspended outpatient care in hospitals a month ago and classes in state primary and secondary schools almost 20 days ago, requires the repeal of presidential decrees that ensure , will promote the privatization of health and public education.

The protests have been increasing in recent days as the majority of the country - which is below the poverty line - maintains that it will not be able to access health and education if it is privatized.

President Hernandez, whose approval is at a minimum of his administration, has called for dialogue and ensures that his government does not intend to privatize public services, although he refuses to repeal the approved presidential decrees. (RHC)