Protests against President Dina Boluarte’s government continued to spread across southern Peru this Wednesday, April 11, with fresh clashes reported in the city of Cusco. The demonstrations, which have killed 48 people, have been going on since December, when former President Pedro Castillo was ousted and precautionary arrested after trying to shut down Congress to prevent an impeachment trial.
So far, authorities in Cusco have said 37 civilians and six police officers were injured after protesters tried to take over the city’s airport, which is always busy with tourists given its proximity to Machu Picchu.
The wave of protests and roadblocks against Baluarte in support of the ousted president has already gripped 41 provinces, mainly in southern Peru. The unrest is coming from rural and neglected areas of the country that are still loyal to Castillo, the country’s first president from humble beginnings. Most of these protesters want immediate elections, Boluarte’s resignation, Castillo’s release and justice for the dead civilians.
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The most violent protests took place on Monday 9th when 17 people were killed in clashes with police in the town of Juliaca. Demonstrators then attacked a police officer and burned him.
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On Tuesday the 10th, the Peruvian government announced a threeday curfew in the city of Puno from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. On the same day, An investigation into the current President and members of her cabinet has been launched. The trial was carried out at the request of the prosecutor’s office, which requested information from the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and the Ministries of Defense and Interior.
“Dina killed me with a bullet,” read a note attached to the coffin of Eberth Mamani Arqui, one of those killed in Monday’s clash with police. The town of Juliaca was occupied by several protesters who marched alongside the coffins of the victims.
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“This democracy is no longer a democracy,” shouted the victims’ relatives, who shouted “Murderer!” as they passed a police station.
In response to the wave of violent protests, the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights delegation began a visit to Peru to inspect the demonstrations and police forces.
Boluarte was the ousted president’s running mate before assuming the presidency. In her opinion, the current plan calls for bringing forward the presidential and congressional elections to 2024, which were originally planned for 2026. She also expressed support for judicial inquiries into whether security forces crossed the border. However, none of the measures could stem the wave of protests, which, after a short break due to the Christmas and New Year holidays, flared up in full force in the poorest areas of the country.
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