GEORGETOWN, Guyana— An official in southwestern Guyana says at least three people have been killed by riot police shooting at protesters during a demonstration against rising electricity rates.
Regional Administrative Chairman Sharma Solomon says he saw three bodies in the town of Linden after what he calls an “unnecessary use of force” by police Wednesday.
National Police Chief Leroy Brummel says officers fired bullets and tear gas to disperse demonstrators who hurled bottles and rocks and blocked the only river bridge connecting the remote jungle town to Brazil. Brummel says police took control of the bridge after battling with protesters for much of the day.
The government has raised electricity rates in the bauxite mining town of about 30,000 people to bring the cost in line with prices elsewhere in the country.