Three people were killed and at least 10 wounded this evening when violence erupted during a one-day strike to protest government economic policy in the Dominican Republic, local media said.
The three were shot during clashes in the capital Santo Domingo and two other cities. Police and army units had reinforced major cities in the Caribbean nation and dozens of activists were arrested before the strike.
Violence flared in several cities when protesters burned tires and pelted soldiers and police with rocks.
The economy has slumped after a boom in recent years and the country suffers high prices and near-constant power cuts. The strike was called by labor unions and social activists to protest government economic policy, including austerity measures called for by the International Monetary Fund.
It was supported by leading opposition parties and part of President Hipolito Mejia's own ruling party.
Media reports said one person was killed by shots fired by soldiers in a northern district of Santo Domingo. Another man was shot by unknown assailants in Higuey, 105 miles east of the capital, during street protests.