On Sunday, December 11, protests against Peru’s new President Dina Boluarte, escalated as police clashed with irate protesters demanding a nationwide strike, new elections, and the release of imprisoned former president Pedro Castillo.
The Peruvian government reported two fatalities and numerous injuries in the southern city of Andahuaylas on Sunday December 12,2022. The previous day, Saturday, 16 civilians and four police officers were injured in that city.
The protests turned violent as police allegedly deployed tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protestors who had built barricades and set fire to them.
“We regret the death of a person, and we send our condolences to the relatives,” said a statement by the police.
Since the legislature of the South American country ousted the leftist Pedro Castillo on Wednesday, December 7, for attempting to dissolve Congress and rule by decree, the demonstrations have progressively grown in size. Dina Boluarte, who had been Mr. Castillo’s vice president, was swiftly sworn in to take his place.
Following his detention and impeachment by lawmakers the same day, protesters in interior places such Cajamarca, Arequipa, Huancayo, Cusco, and Puno requested his release.
On Saturday, December 10, Dina Boluarte, the new president, unveiled her new cabinet, an ensemble with an autonomous and technocratic profile including eight women. She also appointed Pedro Angulo, a former prosecutor, as prime minister.
Calls for a nationwide strike are being made by the ousted president’s supporters.
Additionally, protesters are requesting new elections and calling for the resignation of Dina Boluarte, the country’s new leader.
Boluarte, who took the oath of office as Peru’s first female president on Wednesday, has stated that Castillo’s remaining three and a half years in office should be extended to her, but she has not ruled out calling for early elections in an effort to find a peaceful resolution to the nation’s current political crisis.
On Sunday, Boluarte expressed her condolences for the deaths of the two protesters.
“No Peruvian’s life deserves to be sacrificed for political interests. I express my condolences”. She continued saying“I reiterate my call for dialogue and an end to violence.”
Police stated that they were taking action to make the circumstances surrounding the fatalities clear.
Author- Roberta Appiah
