Honduras protests: Buildings burn during clashes over reforms Published duration 30 April 2019

media caption Police fired tear gas at protesters, who threw rocks and fire bombs

Riot police and protesters have clashed in the Honduran capital, Tegucigalpa, during protests against planned reforms of the health and education sector.

Hundreds of people had to be evacuated from a number of buildings in the city after they were set alight.

The protesters fear that the reforms could lead to mass lay-offs of teachers and doctors.

They have been on strike since Congress approved the reforms. Demonstrations were also held outside the capital.

What happened?

A largely peaceful march against the reforms turned violent when a small group of hooded protesters clashed with riot police in the historic city centre of Tegucigalpa.

image copyright AFP image caption Military police blocked the roads around the university

image copyright AFP image caption Students are among those opposing the reforms

image copyright AFP image caption The offices of the Honduran communications company Hondutel were among those set alight

At least four buildings were set alight, among them Tegucigalpa's city hall. Shop fronts were smashed and burning barricades erected to block key roads. Demonstrators also occupied the campus of the National Autonomous University in Tegucigalpa.

Riot police fired tear gas and charged at demonstrators with batons. Dozens of people were injured in the clashes and one of them is in a serious condition.

Police evacuated more than 250 people from the city hall after it was set alight by demonstrators throwing petrol bombs.

Outside the capital, a woman gave birth in a crowd in the town of La Ceiba after being caught up in protests.

What are the protesters' demands?

The demonstrators want to stop two bills from coming into force which aim to restructure the ministries of education and health. The bills were passed on 25 April by the Honduran Congress in a tense sitting which saw some rival lawmakers push and shove each other. They still require one more voting session to become law.

image copyright AFP image caption The clashes came after doctors and teachers went on strike and students occupied the university's buildings

Doctors and teachers have gone on strike in protest at the proposed reform, which they say will lead to mass sackings in the public sector. They say that the restructuring is the first step towards the privatisation of education and health services.

The government denies that the reform will lead to privatisation and layoffs. It says that the restructuring will provide savings of more than $300m (£231m) which it plans to invest in primary education, the construction of two hospitals and the improvement of neonatal care.

What's the political background?

Backers of the reform say the opposition Libre party is stoking opposition to the law for political purposes. The bills have the backing of conservative President Juan Orlando Hernández.