Peaceful protests in Peru against Dina Boluarte’s government began their third straight day this Friday with calls for the release of former President Pedro Castillo, the closure of Congress, the continuation of general elections and the convening of a constituent process.
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Peruvian organizations continue to mobilize against Dina Boluarte’s government
According to the Superintendence of Land Transportation of People, Cargo and Goods (Sutran), 46 points of traffic disruption were reported in eight regions in the first few hours of this day.
The mobilizations are stronger in the south of the country. The day before, protests were reported from the departments of Apurimac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Puno, Cuzco and Tacna.
According to local media, protests and roadblocks (such as the Vía Interoceánica and the Panamericana Sur) erupted in Abancay, Andahuaylas and Aymaraes, provinces of Apurimac.
In the town of Chalhuanca in Aymaraes, community members and police clashed as the force attempted to open a road.
Local media reported that 70 percent of Abancay’s population is adhering to the indefinite national strike, there are large numbers of broken-down vehicles and the business sector has been hit.
Street actions were also reported in Arequipa, where the road linking the city of the same name to the city of Juliacá (Puno Department) remains blocked and has been punctuated by pickets near the city of Puno.
At dawn this Thursday, the city’s exits continued to be blocked and the Motorbike Taxi Drivers Association announced it would join the strike. Local food market workers announced they would serve the public until 10:00 a.m. local time and then join the protests.
Despite persistent rain, residents of Ayacucho held a sit-in in front of the cathedral and the regional government headquarters, demanding justice for the nearly 30 dead left by last December’s crackdown and rejecting the regional government’s position Governor, Wilfredo Escorima, who supports the current government.
In Arequipa, a mobilization of thousands demanded the resignation of Dina Boluarte and the closure of Congress.
Local press reports report a significant impact on ticket sales and inter-provincial travel in the south of the country as well as on international and domestic tourism due to the road blockades.
This Thursday, the President of the Council of Ministers, Alberto Otárola, expressed that the current cabinet is working towards restoring the population’s trust in democratic institutions.
From popular sectors, they answered him to resign, facilitate the political transition and respond to justice for the deaths of 28 Peruvians during the December mobilizations.