MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentine governor rousted from offices

Police clashed with protesters and ousted a provincial governor from his offices Wednesday, after he refused to leave despite his suspension over corruption allegations, according to meida reports.

La Rioja Gov. Angel Maza hunkered down at his Government House offices after the provincial legislature voted Tuesday night to suspend him and start impeachment proceedings over allegations that he manipulated bids for mining concessions. Around noon, Todos Noticiastelevision broadcast live images of about a dozen police clearing a path through about 200 Maza supporters and regaining control of the building. The governor was abruptly driven away and there were no reports of serious injuries. Vice Gov. Luis Beder Herrera, Maza's leading critic, immediately entered the building and declared he would serve as acting governor until new elections. He told reporters that there was evidence that computer information had been stolen from the government offices and ordered an investigation. Maza opponents, angered by the governor's refusal to step aside, smashed shop windows and lit tire fires overnight in La Rioja, 735 miles northwest of Buenos Aires, the government news agency Telam reported. Some Maza supporters countered by throwing rocks at police, and for a time, hundreds of others silently filled a public square, vowing to block his ouster. Maza has denied manipulating any bids, and his supporters say Beder Herrera simply wanted to prevent Maza's possible re-election.