Peru Declares 30-Day State of Emergency Nationwide Amid Civil Unrest Against Gov’t

Peru is currently facing a state of emergency, with President Dina Boluarte declaring the measure in response to ongoing protests and riots in support of detained former leader Pedro Castillo. In addition to the state of emergency, Boluarte has also proposed moving the next general election from 2026 to 2024.

Castillo was impeached and removed from office earlier this week, with Boluarte, who had served as his vice president, being sworn in as his successor on the same day. The move sparked widespread protests and violence, with two young protesters losing their lives during clashes with police in the country’s southern Andahuaylas Province.

In a speech on Monday, Boluarte said, “The nation is going through tough times. Upon assuming the presidency, I stated that my government would seek dialogue, understanding and consensus among everyone and for everyone.”

The Andahuaylas Airport was closed on Sunday after sustaining damage from “attacks and vandalism,” according to Peru’s civil aviation agency, CORPAC. The agency reported that the runway had been severely damaged and some of the airport’s critical facilities were set on fire.

The Peruvian Ombudsman’s Office has reported that 16 civilians and four police officers were injured during the clashes in Andahuaylas. Local media has also reported that protesters tried to storm government buildings in the city, but were met with tear gas from police. Protests, clashes, and roadblocks have also been reported in the capital, Lima, and other parts of the country.

Castillo’s supporters view Boluarte’s assumption of power as illegitimate. A Peruvian president typically serves a five-year term and is barred from immediate reelection. The last election took place in April 2021 and was won by Castillo.

The protesters view the government as exclusionary and only representing the interests of wealthy Peruvians. “For them, those who are there in Congress, the only opinion that is valid is that of Peruvians who have money, of wealthy people,” said Raquel Quispe, an early childhood education teacher and sister of 17-year-old protester Beckham Romario Quispe Garfias, who lost his life. “They do whatever they want. For them… the vote of the provinces is not valid, it is useless. But the vote of the people of Lima is taken into account. That is an injustice for all of Peru.”

From La República:

On the sixth day of demonstrations at the national level against the Congress of the Republic and for the advancement of elections, the head of Defense, Alberto Otárola, announced that the government will decree a state of emergency at the national level for 30 days.

“The National Police of Peru maintains control of internal order with the support of the Armed Forces. I want to remind you that the declaration of a state of emergency at the national level means the suspension of the rights of assembly, the inviolability of the home, freedom of movement, freedom of assembly, and personal freedom and security," said Otárola, who did not rule out implementing a curfew in the country.

The decision was made in the Council of Ministers. Previously, the Executive branch had established the same measure in Arequipa, Ica and Apurímac for a period of 60 days.

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