At least 17 dead in anti-Boluarte protests: Peru

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
10 Jan 2023 07:59

Protesters demanded the resignation of President Dina Boluarte, who took over after the December 7 coup and arrest of then-President Pedro Castillo.

Peruvian police officers operate as demonstrators hold a protest demanding the release of Castillo. (Reuters)

At least 17 people were killed in Peru on Monday as police authorities cracked down on protesters attempting to storm an airport in the latest violent outburst of a month-long political crisis.

This latest chapter of violence occurred in the Puno region's southeastern city of Juliaca, as per an official from the local ombudsman's office as quoted by AFP.

The previous death toll of 12 was raised after five of the 40 or so individuals injured in the clashes died from severe sustained injuries, the official added.

These protesters, like others in the past month, demanded the resignation of President Dina Boluarte, who took over after the December 7 ousting and arrest of then-President Pedro Castillo.

The clashes have now left 39 people dead around the country.

The people killed Monday in Juliaca had gunshot wounds, an official at Calos Monge Hospital told a Peruvian TV channel.

"The police are shooting at us," one demonstrator who declined to give his name told AFP.

"We ask Dina to resign," he added. "Accept the fact that people do not want you."

According to Alberto Otarola, the incoming president's chief of staff, hundreds of protesters reached the airport on Monday, and approximately 2,000 of them fought police while attempting to storm the facility.

Demonstrators had previously tried Saturday to storm the Juliaca airport, which is being reportedly secured by police and soldiers.

Many Aymara people live in Juliaca, which is located in the Puno region on the border with Bolivia. Since the outbreak of the new crisis, Puno has been a hotspot of anti-government rallies. On January 4, an indefinite strike was declared there.

Protests against the Boluarte government paused for the holidays but resumed on January 1.

Protesters were blocking roadways in six of the country's 25 departments as of Monday, including tourist destinations.

Boluarte was a vice president. Many Indigenous people regard her as a traitor who fails to support their cause.

Morales denied entry

In another context, the government said it was denying admission into the country to Evo Morales, the former president of Bolivia, accusing him of trying to interfere in Peru's affairs.

Morales, who was his country's first Indigenous president, has expressed support for the ongoing protests, especially in the ethnic Aymara Puno region which borders Bolivia.