Peru does not rest. New anti-government protests led to serious clashes with the police. In Peru, protesters apparently tried to reach Congress.
During protests against the Peruvian government, demonstrators and police in the capital Lima engaged in serious clashes. Government opponents threw rocks and firecrackers at the police, the police fired tear gas into the crowd, as seen on television on Thursday. According to a report by RPP radio, the demonstrators tried to penetrate the congress. Several people were injured in the clashes.
In downtown Lima, a building caught fire. More than 25 fire department units are on duty to prevent the fire from spreading to neighboring houses, fire department commander Mario Casaretto told RPP. The fire was “out of control”, he said. Initially, it was unknown if there was a connection to the protests.
(c) Portal (Pilar Olivares)Against the impeachment of President Pedro Castillo
The protests are directed against the government of interim president Dina Boluarte. In an evening speech, she urged protesters to dialogue and announced consequences for those “who want to create chaos and disorder”.
Protesters demand the resignation of the head of state, the dissolution of congress and the release of imprisoned former president Pedro Castillo. The former village school teacher wanted to avoid a no-confidence vote in December and dissolved the congress. Parliament then removed him from office. He was arrested on attempted coup charges and is in custody.
Thousands of people arrived in Lima on Thursday under the slogan “Toma de Lima” (take from 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. Dozens of people have died in Peru since protests began in December.
(APA/dpa)