Demonstrators demanding the resignation of Curaçao’s Prime Minister Eugene Rhuggenaath also set fire to and destroyed the island on Thursday night from Friday to Friday. A curfew could not prevent the unrest that had arisen on the island earlier this week.
The Punda and Otrabanda districts were closed, but elsewhere on the island things remained restless. A primary school and an electronics store were set on fire and several roads were blocked. Fires were also started in many nature areas.
The situation on Curaçao derailed on Wednesday during a demonstration of garbage collectors on Fortplein in Willemstad. They are angry with the announced cutbacks, which include that officials will earn 12.5 percent less.
The austerity package is a condition that the Dutch government has set for an emergency aid package. Curaçao is highly dependent on tourism and is therefore suffering economically from the corona crisis.
Economists think unemployment on the island could reach 60 percent and the economy would shrink by nearly a quarter. An increasing number of Curaçaoans depend on food aid.
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Arson and vandalism
The protesters in Fort Square demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Eugene Rhuggenaath, wreaked havoc and pelted police officers with bottles. An entrance door to Fort Amsterdam, the seat of the government, was also forced.
The police used tear gas to sweep the square, after which the disturbances spread to other parts of the city center. There was arson, vandalism and some shops were looted. The police arrested 48 people.
Police chief Mauricio Sambo resigned on Wednesday from the riots and Justice Minister Quincy Girigorie announced a curfew, which was later extended to the night from Thursday to Friday.
Prime Minister in talks with the Netherlands about support package
Prime Minister Rhuggenaath has condemned vandalism in recent days and says he wants to talk to a small group of protesters.
At a news conference, Rhuggenaath said he knows what issues are at stake in society. “That is why I am here, I am open to listen. The cause of the protests that got out of hand is because of the long-standing problems. They are not of today, but have existed for some time and have worsened due to the situation in Venezuela and Corona. “
The Prime Minister of Curaçao announced that he was in discussion with State Secretary of the Interior and Kingdom Relations Raymond Knops.
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