Nurse activists started picketing from early morning at kilometer 249 of the CA-2 West route, La Virgen intersection, Tecun Uman, San Marcos, according to local press reports.

They also occupied the CA-9 South, Puerto Quetzal, Escuintla, and on the CA-1 East, Aduana San Cristobal, Jutiapa, saying they are demanding betters working conditions for hospitals staff and the guarantee of a more efficient national health system.

These blocks protests follow protests of previous months, when groups of nurses voiced their discontent at the lack of resources, medicines and stability in their posts.

According to the union they have not received any answers yet from the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance, nor from the national Congress.

Meanwhile, the General Directorate of Road Safety and Security reported a road block on kilometer 164 of route CA-14, in Purulha, Baja Verapaz,where locals protested over the poor condition of a main road.

With little more than six months in office, the current Guatemalan administration is facing huge challenges deriving from years of neglect and corruption in the country.

Ied/omr/lam/znc