Understand the situation in Peru and the reasons that led to the cancellation of the curfew

The tension in Lima, the capital of Peru, has not yet abated. At least nine Peruvian roads remain blocked on Wednesday (6) as a result of the truck drivers’ strike, the National Police said on its Twitter account.

The authorities also said that, due to Tuesday’s disturbances, there are about 18 detainees who will be denounced for possible crimes “against public tranquility”.

Social discontent with the state of emergency, a widely unpopular measure in Peru, has sparked strong protests in the capital Lima, prompting President Pedro Castillo to lift the curfew and state of emergency on Tuesday afternoon.

“Peru is not going through a good moment, but we have to solve it with the powers of the State”, said Castillo as he left Congress, where he met with the parliamentary table “to articulate measures for the benefit of Peruvians”.

As the president addressed journalists announcing the end of his unpopular measure, a crowd protested and tried to get to Congress, causing the police to intervene.

The National Police of Peru also reported the death of a person during the protests in Ica, a coastal region in the south of the country. “We urge protesters not to generate further acts of violence that threaten the right to life, public and private property and free movement across the national territory,” they said in a tweet.

The night before, they referred to the death of an 18-year-old that apparently happened in the context of the protests in Huánuco. In a statement, the police said that a group of people had transferred the body to the Ambo Health Center. The institution said a hospital representative said the death was due to cerebral edema.

The police ordered specialized technicians to initiate investigations in coordination with a forensic expert from the Public Ministry to determine the cause of death.

So far, this is what we know about the situation in Peru.

Castillo lifted the curfew

The state of emergency and the controversial decree of “immobility” order in Peru did not go down well with Peruvians, leading to demonstrations in Lima. From the Peruvian Congress, shortly afterwards, President Castillo announced the revocation of the aforementioned order, which, among other things, included the curfew.

“I must announce that from now on we are going to cancel this immobility that corresponds to asking for the tranquility of the Peruvian people,” Castillo said in a meeting with the Congressional Board.

Despite the curfew measure, hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Lima on Tuesday (5) to ask for the president’s resignation.

Clashes erupted in the afternoon when riot police used tear gas to disperse the crowd and protesters threw stones at the windows of a building used by the Peruvian judiciary.

Peruvian Interior Minister Alfonso Chávarry said there were 18 detainees for “theft and vandalism” as part of the protests.

Meanwhile, Castillo called for calm among Peruvians and urged those blocking highways, in a truckers’ strike that began on March 28 due to rising fuel prices, not to “take advantage” of a constitutional right to generate violence.

According to the Ministry of Transport, there are more than 44 points interrupted on several highways in the country and 86 restricted.

The Peruvian Ministry of the Interior called on protesters to protest without resorting to violence, “without disturbing public order and in strict respect for public and private property, but above all for integrity and human life,” according to a statement on Twitter.

Protests leave several injured in Peru

At least 11 people were injured last Tuesday during clashes between protesters and police in Lima, according to the Health Ministry, in protests against the measure announced by President Castillo on Monday night.

The Health Ministry reported that five civilians and six police officers were injured and were being treated for their injuries.

Earlier, the Interior Ministry reported that 25 police officers from the Special Services Unit were injured during the demonstrations. Minister Alfonso Chávarry rejected the violence in the demonstrations and reported that the protesters not only attacked police officers, but also journalists covering the protests.

In addition, according to the Minister of the Interior, the demonstrations “caused damage to the facilities of the Public Ministry, the Judiciary and commercial establishments in downtown Lima”.

Castillo, who announced the curfew for the Lima and Callao region at around 2 am and until 11:59 pm on April 5, had to withdraw the order after just 15 hours due to strong demonstrations against the decree.

Peru continues with blocked roads

At least nine Peruvian roads remain blocked on Wednesday (6) as a result of the truck drivers’ strike, the National Police said on its Twitter account.

The organ added that, due to the disturbances on Tuesday, there are about 18 detainees who will be denounced for the possible practice of crimes “against public tranquility”.

Some services resume in Lima and Callao

This Wednesday, normalcy returned to the cities of Lima and Callao, where there were mobility difficulties, attention was canceled at Covid vaccination points and public and private workers attended their work remotely.

The Urban Transport Authority reported that public transport services in Lima and Callao have been restored and are operating normally.

Attention, users!
☝️ We inform you that all transport services are restored and operating as usual. We are at your service! pic.twitter.com/cROjsTy3xu

— Urban Transport Authority (@ATU_GobPeru) April 6, 2022

Meanwhile, Covid-19 vaccination centers in these areas have also reopened after closing for a day on April 5.

However, classes in the metropolitan region of Lima did not return to their usual presence this Wednesday, so they will continue to be taught virtually at least in the Peruvian capital, in order to “safeguard the physical integrity and emotional health” of students and the community. academic in general, according to a statement from the Regional Directorate of Education of Lima (DRELM) on Twitter.