Protesters storm Suriname parliament, rally turns ugly

But the protests turned ugly when demonstrators throwing rocks and bottles at police stormed parliament's grounds, with some making their way into the building before being forced back, a Reuters witness said. Police fired tear gas in return.

Others started fires and looted city shops, many of which had closed as a precaution amid the unrest.

The government of President Chan Santokhi condemned the violence and said it had set up a task force to track down those responsible for attacking parliament.

"Vigorous action will be taken against the individuals who instructed, carried out and caused destruction in these attacks," it said in a statement.

Suriname, a former Dutch colony in northern South America with a population of 610,000, reported inflation of 54.6 per cent for 2022.

The protests come in the same week that the smallest party in government left the ruling coalition, citing disagreements over poverty and social policies.