Violent incidents with 4 dead in Peru due to rising fuel and fertilizer prices

In its capital Peru, Lima, but also in the neighboring port of Cayao, a traffic ban was imposed today. They were preceded by violent protests mainly by transport workers over rising fuel prices, with at least four deadannounced the president Pedro Castillo.

The curfew, from dawn to midnight (local time), was decided because of “violent actions” by “certain groups” and in order to “restore peace and order” and “protect the rights of all citizens”, Mr. Castillo explained during his extraordinary televised sermon late last night (this morning Greek time).

Clashes between protesters and police broke out on Monday in various parts of the Andean state, amid ongoing strikes by transport workers. This is the first social conflict faced by Mr. Castillo, who was elected president of Peru in July 2021, which he claimed with the colors of a party of the radical left.

The demonstrations, in which roads were blocked and classes were not held in schools in many areas, Rising fuel and toll prices, fertilizers and food have been triggered in part by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In some cases, shoplifting was reported and toll stations were set on fire near the town of Ika (south).

“I call for calm, for peace. “Social protest is a constitutional right, but it must be exercised in a law-abiding manner,” said the Peruvian president, whose government last week abolished excise duty on fuel and increased the minimum wage by 10% to 1,205 soles (around 303 euros) in the hope that the tension would escalate.

Mr Castillo’s term has already been marked by several crises – he has been forced to form four governments in eight months, according to international news agencies and the Athens News Agency. At the end of March, the president just surpassed the second attempt to step down due to “moral incompetence” by the opposition, which accused him of corruption scandals in which his associates were involved, as well as “betrayal”.