16th January, 2023
Peru has extended a state of emergency for another month in the capital city of Lima and two southern regions, to stop deadly protests.
Earlier, a month-long nationwide state of emergency was announced in mid-December, shortly after demonstrations broke out over the ousting of former leftist President Pedro Castillo.
Castillo had attempted to dissolve Congress and rule by decree.
More than 40 people have died in violent clashes between protesters and security forces since early December.
President Dina Boluarte signed prolonged emergency measures late Saturday that allow police special powers and curb liberties such as the right to assemble in Lima and the southern regions of Puno and Cusco.
The restrictions include a 10-day curfew in Puno, where roughly half of the victims died.
In a march in Lima on Saturday, protesters raised red and white national flags alongside banners rimmed in black in a sign of mourning.
They also lashed out against Boluarte, Castillo’s former vice president, who the day before had apologized for the deaths while calling for investigations.
“She is a hypocrite,” said protester Tania Serra, speaking over shouts of the crowd, which at times jostled with police outfitted in anti-riot gear. “She says sorry, sorry, but she doesn’t come out to talk, she sends the police, the military to go kill.”
As of Jan. 12-13, a poll by Ipsos Peru published in the newspaper Peru 21 on Sunday showed 71% of Peruvians disapproved of Boluarte’s government, up from 68% in December.
Protesters have demanded Boluarte step down, and that Castillo, who was arrested for “rebellion,” be released.
Reuters