Political crisis in Peru: Lima in a state of emergency – 42 dead in anti-Boluarte protests

The Peruvian government has declared a state of emergency in the capital Lima and other areas Peru as protests continue with a central demand for the resignation of President Dina Bolluarte, in which at least 42 people have been killed in five weeks.

The measure, valid for 30 days, authorizes the intervention of the armed forces to enforce order and provides for the suspension of constitutionally guaranteed rights and freedoms, including the freedoms of movement of persons, assembly and the inviolability of private residence. A decree containing it was published on Saturday evening (local time; Sunday morning Greek time) in the Government Gazette.

In addition to the capital, the measure concerns the provinces of Cusco and Puno (south) and the port of Callao, a short distance from Lima.

More than 100 roads were blocked by protesters on Saturday, mainly in the south, the heart of the protest movement, as well as around the capital.

The authorities, however, yesterday reopened the international airport of the city of Cusco, important for Peru’s tourism sector, as it is the closest to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu.

The Andean country’s protests erupted after the suspension, arrest and pretrial detention on December 7 of former leftist President Pedro Castillo, who was accused of a “coup” when he tried to dissolve Congress as the body prepared to oust him from office. .

Dina Boluarte, his vice-president until that day, elected with the same party, succeeded him, as stipulated by the Constitution. The protesters, who describe her as a “traitor”, demand that she leave power, that parliament be closed and that presidential and parliamentary elections be held immediately.

But Ms Boulwarte insists at this stage she has no intention of resigning.