Death toll of Peruvian protesters reaches 20 after Castillo detainment

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
16 Dec 2022 23:09
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Protesters fighting against the right-wing coup which detained Castillo are being targeted.

Police in Peru repress citizens as protests continue around the country. In Lima, demonstrators were gassed while demanding immediate elections, a Constituent Assembly and the closure of the Congress. Passersby were also affected. (Juan Zapata)

The death toll from nationwide protests in Peru that have been ongoing for almost 10 days has reached 20, according to Radio Programas del Peru (RPP) on Friday. After President Pedro Castillo was detained in a military coup, Peruvians have taken to the streets in protest against the arrest.

Of the 20 dead, 6 were killed in Apurimax and another 8 in the city of Ayacucho.

Earlier this week, Castillo called on police and the military to "stop killing" protesters demanding his release after violent clashes between security forces and demonstrators left seven people dead in recent days. "I will never give up and abandon this popular cause that brought me here," the leftist Castillo said during a court hearing.

Peru goes on the 9th day of protest against the coup govt. They can be heard chanting “Congress will fall!” It’s becoming clear that early elections will not be enough to quiet the protests. As the state of emergency continues, more military are deployed, leading to 1 death today pic.twitter.com/dPUJyjlvCu
— Manolo De Los Santos (@manolo_realengo) December 15, 2022

He slammed his arrest as unjust and arbitrary.

Mass demonstrations in the country have been calling for Castillo's release from jail and the dissolution of Congress, whose approval rating is a mere 10%. The protesters seized major highways and the Arequipa airport.

Peruvian prosecutors sought to sentence Castillo to three years in prison for the alleged "crime of rebellion," locking him up on December 7 after attempting a third impeachment of Congress attempt to dissolve a historically-unpopular legislative body.

Washington immediately defended the new regime. Just a day after the arrest, Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian A. Nichols said “we applaud Peruvians as they unite in support of their democracy,” and that “the US welcomes President Boluarte and looks forward to working with her administration to achieve a more democratic, prosperous, and secure region.”

Neighboring countries on the continent, including Argentina, Colombia, Bolivia, and Mexico are demanding that Castillo be released, asserting that Castillo is a victim of "anti-democratic persecution" and calling for his human rights to be respected. The governments put forward that they recognize Castillo as the only legitimate Peruvian president.

Honduras, in addition, said the situation shows a "serious constitutional breach," condemning the coup d'etat immediately after Castillo was arrested.