Peru Uprising: Thousands of Protesters Demand President’s Resignation, New Government

Tens of thousands of protesters have come out onto the streets of towns and cities across Peru calling for the resignation of President Dina Boluarte and the dissolution of Congress. The protesters are demanding political reform and accountability. 

President Boluarte, who is under investigation for genocide, described the escalating protests as a “threat to democracy”. She called for a peaceful march without violence, chaos, or crisis. Bolurate also criticized the protesters as being out of touch with the average Peruvian. She lashed out at her political opposition for waving war flags. 

In the capital Lima, protesters defied the police and marched to Congress but were pushed back with tear gas. The Boluarte-led government and her allies have been accused of illegitimately removing and jailing Pedro Castillo. There’s also anger about poverty and deep inequality. 

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The fresh wave of protests is the “third takeover of Lima”. It comes after months of unrest that began when the previous president, who attempted to dissolve Congress and the courts and rule by decree in December 2022, was removed from office. Simeon Tegel, a Peruvian journalist, said rampant corruption in the country’s political system, including at the highest levels – Congress, the cabinet, the presidency, with many senior political figures basically lining their pockets rather than serving the interests of the people. 

It’s a combination of deep inequalities and injustices in Peruvian society. Majority people in Peru lack all kinds of basic services, like running water, electricity, or education. Castillo’s arrest sparked the protest. Protesters are demanding the reinstatement of Pedro Castillo, and a new constitution. If Boluarte steps down, there would be fresh elections.

Jorge Pizarro, a spokesperson for one of the protest organizers, said they don’t want any confrontation with the police. However, the protests have not been peaceful. There have been reports of buildings and vehicles set on fire. Amnesty International expressed concerns about racial and socio-economic bias in Peru. It accused state security forces of targeting people of poor, Indigenous and campesino backgrounds when using lethal weapons.