Violent protests in Peru
Thousands of demonstrators are demanding the resignation of President Boluarte
During protests against the Peruvian government, demonstrators and police officers in the capital Lima have fought serious clashes. Several people were injured in the clashes. Around 12,000 police officers were on duty in the capital.
Published: 24 minutes ago
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Updated: 8 minutes ago
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In the center of Lima, a building went up in flames during violent anti-government protests.
Violence escalated in the Peruvian capital Lima on Thursday: Thousands of demonstrators demanded the resignation of President Dina Boluarte during new protests. There were serious clashes between protesters and police officers.
The government opponents threw stones and firecrackers at the police officers, the officers fired tear gas into the crowd, as was seen on television. According to a report by radio station RPP, the demonstrators tried to penetrate the congress.
12,000 emergency services were deployed
Thousands of people came to Lima on Thursday under the motto “Toma de Lima” (take of Lima), mainly from southern Peru. There were also violent protests in other parts of the South American country. In the city of Arequipa, one person died and ten others were injured, according to the state ombudsman’s office. Dozens of people have died in Peru since the protests began in December.
The protest marches were accompanied by a massive police presence. Almost 12,000 officers were deployed in Lima. The government declared a state of emergency over the weekend because of the ongoing protests in the country in Lima and three southern regions.
In the center of Lima, a building went up in flames. More than 25 fire brigade units are on duty to prevent the fire from spreading to neighboring houses, fire brigade commander Mario Casaretto told RPP. The fire was “out of control,” it said. It was initially not known whether there was a connection with the protests.
Demonstrators are demanding the resignation of the head of state
The protests are directed against the government of interim President Dina Boluarte (60). In a speech in the evening, she called on the protesters to engage in dialogue and announced the consequences for those “who want to create chaos and disorder”.
The demonstrators are demanding the resignation of the head of state, the dissolution of the congress and the release of the imprisoned ex-president Pedro Castillo (53). The former village school teacher wanted to forestall a vote of no confidence in December and dissolved the congress. Parliament then removed him from office. He was arrested on charges of an attempted coup and is in custody.
Before Castillo was removed from office, Boluarte was his vice president and succeeded him in accordance with the Peruvian constitution. She belongs to the same left party as Castillo. Demonstrators see her as a “traitor”. (AFP/SDA/dzc)