Central America: Public sector workers storm Honduran streets for second day
Public sector workers storm Honduran streets for second day; Guatemalan president declares national dengue alert; Costa Rica feeds Olympic hopes
Public sector workers storm Honduran streets for second day
Thousands of public-sector teachers and doctors from across the country on Monday and Tuesday stormed the streets of Tegucigalpa to protest against a delay in their June salaries.
With mobilizations, road blocks and local assemblies, strikers made their discontent felt to a government which they accuse of miring social rights.
An estimated 61,000 teachers joined the strike, in a protest which affected classes for more than 2.5 million public-school students. The average salary for Honduran teachers sits at US$350.
Teachers complained about widespread delays in bank deposits and demanded that the government of Porfírio Lobo meet current payment dates (20th of each month).
The doctors’ strike also seeks payment of a wage adjustment for the first half of 2012, and follows a month-long walkout by 2,600 auxiliary nurses.
Guatemalan president declares national dengue alert
In other news, Guatemala’s government on Monday declared a ‘national alert’ following a dengue fever outbreak in the central and southwestern parts of the country.
The event caused the death of at least four people last week. Weather conditions and increased rainfall lead to the breeding of the mosquito which spreads the disease.
The ‘national alert’ aims to prevent the spread of the fever through disinfection and information campaigns, President Otto Pérez Molina said.
Some 1,186 suspected cases of dengue have been reported so far, according to figures from Guatemala’s Ministry of Health.
Costa Rica feeds Olympic hopes
Also this week, London’s Olympic Park hosted the world on Friday, with the likes of David Beckham, James Bond and Mr Bean adding flash and flare to the festivities.
China has been stretching its muscles and reaping the largest share of medal glory so far. Despite a meager four medals, all claimed in the Sydney Olympics of 2000, Costa Rica also hopes to add precious metal to its silverware.
The Central American country will be represented by 11 athletes, but its hopes rest mainly with Limonense Nery Brenes, 26. Brenes will be make his London 2012 debut in the 400m sprint.
Brenes will land in England on Aug. 1, three days before his first race in the 400-meter sprint.
However, the lightning-quick Costa Rican will have to be lightning-bolt to claim the throning seat at the podium, as his personal best at Beijing’s 2008 Olympics was to come 10th in the same competition.
