Thousands of Peruvian protestors mostly coming from the country’s Southern part descended on the capital city of Lima on Thursday, to demonstrate against the mounting death toll that erupted last month in the wake of widespread calls demanding the resignation of their President.
Peru’s security forces estimated the number of protestors to be somewhere around 3,500, however, it is believed that the exact number is double of it. Forces in riot gear faced thousands of violent protestors.
The situation turned so violent that one of the city’s historic buildings was set on fire. The building, on San Martin Plaza, was empty when the massive fire ignited from unknown causes, a firefighter commander informed the media while detailing the matter.
BREAKING: Massive fire reported near Plaza San Martin in #Lima, Peru amid anti-government protest
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) January 20, 2023
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Over the past few months, Peru is rocked by deadly protests, leading to the worst violence in the past two decades as many in poorer, rural regions went angry at the Lima establishment over inequality and rising prices.
Protestors are demanding the resignation of President Dina Boluarte, snap elections and a new constitution to replace the market-friendly one dating back to right-wing strongman Alberto Fujimori in the 1990s.
A protestor while interacting with the press said, “We want the usurper Dina Boluarte to step down and call for new elections.” The protestors have been sparked by the dramatic ouster of former leftist President Pedro Castillo after he tried to illegally shut down Congress and consolidate power.
Thousands travelled to Lima by bus, foot and by other means, carrying flags and banners blasting the government and police. Gradually the unrest spread far beyond the capital to other parts of the country. Police resorted to firing tear gas at hundreds of protestors in Southern Arequipa, who were trying to take over the airport.
The death toll due to the ongoing protest currently stands at 45, as per a government’s ombudsman after the latest addition came on Thursday from the Southern Puno region, a woman who succumbed to her injuries.
In nearly about 18 regions of a total of 25 in the country, roadways are blocked, last week, the embattled Boluarte government extended a state of emergency in Lima and the southern regions of Puno and Cusco, curtailing some civil rights.
Interior Minister Vincente Romero in conversation with the reporters said, "We do not want more deaths, we do not want more injuries, enough blood, enough mourning for the families of Peru.”
Adding a note of condemnation, she further said, asking for the forgiveness of protestor’s deaths even as protestors’ banners label her a murderer, calling the killings by security forces a massacre, and dismissing all the calls to resign.
Human rights groups have accused the police and army of using deadly firearms in the protests. The police say the protesters have used weapons and homemade explosives.
"We won't forget the pain the police have caused in the town of Juliaca," said one protester travelling to Lima as quoted by a newswire. She referred to the city where a deadly protest took place earlier this month. "We women, men, children have to fight."
The protest observed deadlock between security forces and Peruvians have claimed 45 lives so far and left a number of others brutally injured.