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Protesters breach Guatemala's legislature

After protesters breached Guatamala's Congress building on Tuesday, the country's interior minister Gendry Reyes vowed on television that there would be swift retaliation against them.

"We are coordinating with the Public Prosecutor's Ministry. We are collecting any and all information through videos to support legal action, to chase down these people who organised this illegal activity."

The Congress building was apparently the target of anger from ex-army soldiers.

Reports say the protesting veterans demanded lawmakers pass a compensation package for those who served during the country's thirty-plus year civil war.

It turned violent as some broke down gates to the building and tried to enter the legislative chamber by force.

Lawmakers and congress staff were evacuated, and police used tear gas to repel the protesters.

Firefighters doused vehicles that were torched in the chaos.