Its president PeruDina Boluarte, called on Thursday for a dialogue, wanting to end the mass mobilizations that have as a central demand her resignation.
“We extend our hand and our heart” to the protesters, Ms. Boluarte said during a press conference in Lima, calling on the citizens who are expressing their discontent in the streets to talk with her government to find a solution to the crisis.
Demonstrations resumed Wednesday in Peru’s 26 provinces after a break for year-end holidays. The participants in them they are demanding that President Bolluarte resign, that Congress be dissolved and that elections be called immediatelyalready decided to be held early, in April 2024 instead of 2026.
Clashes broke out again between law enforcement and protestors, and several roads remain blocked.
The main foci of the protests are in the southern sectors of the country, said Interior Minister Victor Rojas. “We show tolerance and continue to respect everyone’s right to protest”he assured.
Dina Boluarte, the former vice president, succeeded Pedro Castillo on December 7suspended from Congress, was arrested and faces prosecution for “posturing” and “conspiracy” for trying to dissolve the Peruvian parliament.
According to official figures, over 600 people have been injured and 22 killed in the protestsmarked by widespread violence in the central and southern regions, where Mr. Castillo has many supporters.
The new Peruvian government has deployed army units to restore order in the country under a month-long state of emergency it initially declared.
The Peruvian Minister of Defense, Jorge Chavez, accused foreigners of inciting protests and riots and encouraging separatist tendencies in the south.
“Foreigners not only entered the country with the intention of inciting violence, but also to instill the separatist idea in (…) part of our country”said Mr. Chavez.
He did not specify the nationality or nationalities of the foreigners he reported entering the country. However, on Wednesday he told the country’s television station that five Bolivians were present at a demonstration in the border region of Puno.
Yesterday he said how the government will prosecute those who crossed the border illegally.
Ms. Boluarte said she was talking with immigration officials to decide whether or not to allow former Bolivian President Evo Morales, a supporter of former President Castillo and an opponent of his government, into the country.
Evo Morales, who had visited Peru repeatedly during Mr. Castillo’s 17 months in power, lashed out again yesterday against the new government, accusing it of responsibility for the violence.
“Please stop the massacres, illegal arrests, persecutions and charges of terrorism against our indigenous brothers and sisters”the socialist former president of Bolivia said via Twitter, calling for a “deep transformation” of Peru.
President Bolluarte has demanded that Mr. Morales stop “interfering” in her country’s internal affairs. Yesterday the Prime Minister of Alberto Otarola came back emphasizing that Lima rejects any attempt to “interfere” in Peru’s internal affairs and is monitoring the border area very carefully.
Source: News Beast
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