Riot police have deployed tear gas to disperse anti-government protestors in the Peruvian capital, as anti-government rallies that have gripped the country since early December continue. Late Monday evening, several hundred protestors gathered in the heart of Lima to demand the dismissal of President Dina Boluarte. Some were heard yelling “Dina killer” before to the use of tear gas by the police. Since violent protests began at the beginning of last month following the departure of the left-wing, indigenous president Pedro Castillo, at least 46 people have died.
“Social demonstrations will continue. We are working closely with the Ministry of Defense to tackle these issues, Interior Minister Vicente Romero said state television. Despite the declaration of a state of emergency by the government, protestors asking for the resignation of Boluarte will hold a second march in Lima on Tuesday. “We need Dina to resign immediately,” Edmunda Canaguira, 60, told AFP. She does not pay attention to the individuals. Canaguira, who travelled to the capital from Sicuani in the southeastern Andes of Peru to participate in the demonstrations, continued, “It is her responsibility that we are in the streets this week, without food and unable to sleep.” Protesters, many of whom from impoverished Andean regions, demand a new constitution, fast elections, and the dissolution of Congress. Civil organizations have condemned the repression by security personnel, while the minister has backed the police and complimented their “amazing” talents. “Right now we are facing one of the greatest levels of violence since the 1980s,” when police were battling Shining Path’s leftist guerrillas, Romero stated. He again accused a “anonymous” organization for funding rallies in which 540 police officers, according to him, were hurt. The government has often said that drug dealers and illegal miners “manipulate” protests. On the 7th of December, then-President Castillo was arrested and accused with insurrection for attempting to dissolve Congress and govern by decree, which sparked the first outbreak of unrest.
His followers have maintained frequent demonstrations and blockages around the nation, and have at times attempted to storm airports. There were still more than eighty blocked highways in eight of Peru’s 25 provinces on Monday. On Saturday, the renowned historical monument Machu Picchu was closed. Due to track damage, rail services to the plant had already been halted prior to its closure. This past weekend, more than 400 trapped visitors had to be rescued from Machu Picchu. The airports at Arequipa and Juliaca, both located in the country’s south, remain closed.
