PARAGUAYANS took to the streets once more on Saturday demanding the resignation of President Mario Abdo as the country faces a deepening economic crisis.

Protesters expressed growing anger over Mr Abdo’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, but refused to be intimidated by police violence, including rubber bullets being fired at crowds on Friday evening. 

At least one person is believed to have been killed by police and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has expressed concerns over the use of excessive force, calling on the authorities to investigate.

The country’s communications minister, Juan Manuel Brunetti, said on Saturday that the president has asked “all the members of the cabinet to give up their positions.”

“The president will speak today with the citizenry. We want all citizens to know and understand that their message has reached the president,” he said.

Health Minister Julio Mazzoleni resigned on Friday under pressure from health unions and members of his own party, with the Paraguayan health system in a critical condition. 

Coronavirus is at record levels, with 115 infections per 100,000 people reported in the last seven days. 

The country has vaccinated less than 0.1 per cent of its population, with severe shortages of medical equipment and vaccines.

The Authentic Radical Liberalist Party announced on Saturday that it will formally request Mr Abdo’s impeachment.

Last month the opposition Guasu Front party demanded Mr Abdo’s resignation following revelations that he had struck a deal with Venezuelan usurper Juan Guaido to reduce debt repayments by Paraguay’s oil industry.

He faced similar charges in 2019 after it was revealed that he held secret negotiations with Brazil’s far-right President Jair Bolsonaro on the Itaipu hydroelectric dam.