JUAN CARLOS CISNEROS / AFP
Peru: State of emergency, demonstrations… What we know about the historic protest (Photo: Hundreds of protesters in Puno Square on January 9)
PERU – The Uprising in Peru. Several Peruvian regions have been in a state of emergency since mid-December as new mass demonstrations against President Dina Boluarte are organized this Sunday, January 15th. This measure, extended on Saturday and valid for 30 days, authorizes the army to intervene to maintain order and results in the suspension of several constitutional rights such as freedom of movement and assembly and the inviolability of the home.
At least 42 people have been killed in clashes between police and protesters in five weeks. In addition to Lima, the departments of Cusco and Puno (south) are particularly affected by the state of emergency, as is the port of Callao next to the capital. As of Sunday, more than a hundred roadblocks continued to block traffic in 11 of Peru’s 25 regions, particularly in the south, the epicenter of the dispute.
But how did this crisis arise and why has the country come this far? HuffPost takes stock of this historic dispute.
The candidate of “Hope” elected
It all starts during the Peruvian presidential election in July 2021 when a former teacher, Pedro Castillo, wins the elections.
A big surprise for a candidate from an Andean region who “comes from a popular background,” explains Figaro Lissel Quiroz, professor of Latin American Studies at Cergy-Paris University. A candidate who has the support of the indigenous community from which he comes and who sees in him “the hope of change” vis-à-vis Lima’s political elites.
Castillo’s attempted coup
But the hope is short-lived. In sixteen months, Pedro Castillo will face three dismissal procedures by Parliament. According to Le Monde, “His presidency was marked by incompetence and instability”.
In December, the President therefore tries to dissolve Parliament. He was then accused of attempting to stage a coup, was fired and arrested on December 7th.
Vice President Boluarte takes over
Dina Boluarte, vice president of Pedro Castillo, succeeded him according to the constitution. She comes from the same left party as he does. But the demonstrators see her as a “traitor”. Remember Peru has had six presidents in five years.
“She is quite representative of the Peruvian political class that has been pulling the strings of power for several years,” in particular Jorge Aragon, a professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, told Le Figaro on December 9.
They are now demanding his resignation and immediate new elections. Which she refuses. Elections scheduled for 2026 have already been pushed closer to 2024.
Some regions are rising, the dead are numbered in the dozens
Today, the demonstrations, which until then had mainly taken place in the southern regions of the country, not far from the Bolivian border, have reached the capital and the number of dead is counted at ten.
Dina Boluarte debe reunciar y Lima debe saber que no es el Peru de una vez por todas. Aquí a demonstration by ell… https://t.co/qPL72sF6Qx
– Alex Febrero (@AlexFebrero_)
According to the People’s Defender (Ombudsman), at least 42 people have died in clashes between protesters and police since the crisis began, including a police officer who was burned alive by the crowd. The protests also said at least 531 people were injured, including 176 police officers, and 329 people were arrested, according to prosecutors.
Government accuses “professional agitators”.
“Some pro-violent and radical voices are calling for my resignation and inciting chaos, disorder and destruction among the population. I tell you responsibly: I will not resign, my commitment is to Peru,” said Dina Boluarte in a message to the nation broadcast by state television. The government blames “professional agitators funded with illegal money” for the unrest.
Police announced the arrest of a union leader from the Ayacucho region, Rocio Leandro, who is accused of financing the protests and recruiting protesters. According to a police spokesman, General Oscar Arriola, Rocio Leandro used the name “Comrade Cusi” to belong to the defunct Maoist armed group, the Shining Path.
A preliminary investigation into “genocide” was initiated
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), which completed an inspection mission on Friday, called for an impartial investigation into the crackdown on the demonstrations and said there were signs of “excessive use of force”.
Peru’s prosecutors have launched an investigation into “genocide” against Dina Boluarte and several other senior officials.
Boluarte cascades resignations and apologizes but doesn’t give up
Three members of the Boluarte government resigned within two days: Labor Minister Eduardo Garcia, who disagreed with the government’s handling of the demonstrations, Interior Minister Victor Rojas and Grecia Rojas, Minister for Women and Vulnerable Populations.
“I can’t stop repeating my condolences for the deaths of Peruvians in the protests. I apologize for this situation,” Dina Boluarte said in her message to the nation. But she refused to convene a constituent assembly, as protesters are also demanding. “We can’t do this overnight,” she pleaded.
Deputy Minister for Territorial Governance Jose Muro told TV Peru on Sunday that the government will set up “spaces for dialogue” throughout the territory to discuss various social demands. “Tell our brothers that this week we intend to set up spaces for dialogue to respond to these requests,” he assured.
Prepare for a new wave of protests on Monday
Massive protests are planned for Monday in the marginalized regions of the southern Andes and in Lima, where groups of protesters arrived on Saturday night to “take control of the city”.
More than a hundred roadblocks have blocked traffic across Peru since Saturday, especially in the south, the epicenter of the protests, but also around Lima.
When authorities reopened Cusco’s international airport, vital to Peru’s tourism sector, on Saturday after closing it on Thursday, trains to Machu Picchu, the only way to reach the famous site, stood still .
Local unions say the tourism sector is losing up to seven million soles (about 1.7 million euros) a day due to the crisis.
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