Massive protests held in Peru in support of ousted President Castillo

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
11 Dec 2022 23:32
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Outraged protestors are calling for impeached President Pedro Castillo to be released and newly sworn-in Dina Boluarte to resign amid violent clashes with law enforcement which have so far resulted in 16 wounded civilians and four injured police officers.

4 days straight of protests against the congress in Peru and in support of the former president Pedro Castillo who was put in jail (@ProtestaBloc)

Massive rallies were held over the last four days in support of ousted President Pedro Castillo who was arrested shortly after he was ousted over what his many supporters believe to be fabricated charges by the right-wing Parliament of Lima on Wednesday.

Following his arrest, Peru's Vice President, Dina Boluarte, was sworn in as president and announced she will be assuming the presidency "in accordance with the Constitution of Peru, from now until July 26, 2026," the date on which Castillo's term would have expired.

With complete disregard for the people's demands, Boluarte announced moments ago that she had formed a new cabinet composed of 19 ministers, eight of whom are female, at the presidential palace.

Outraged protestors are now calling for Castillo to be released and Boluarte to resign amid violent clashes with law enforcement which have so far resulted in 16 wounded civilians and four injured police officers.

#Peru: in the region of Andahuaylas the mass protests continue against the parliamentary coup against President Pedro Castillo, demanding his return and the establishment of a Constituent Assembly. #PeruGolpeDeEstado pic.twitter.com/MhcDI7OnKj
— Denis Rogatyuk (@DenisRogatyuk) December 11, 2022

🇵🇪 Police officer held hostage and at least 20 people injured in clashes during anti-government protests in Andahuaylas, Peru. pic.twitter.com/qdiph1ReFE
— 𝚁𝙰𝙶𝙴 𝙰𝙶𝙰𝙸𝙽𝚂𝚃 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚅𝙰𝙲𝙲𝙸𝙽𝙴 (@72powpow) December 11, 2022

Protesters have been firing slingshots and hurling stones, while police responded with tear gas.

🇵🇪 Shots of yesterday’s fights between Peruvians and security forces. Supporters of Pedro Castillo (the president of Peru, who was impeached and arrested) staged mass protests. The security forces intervened, which led to serious clashes in the streets and riots. pic.twitter.com/o7LANyvxoi
— 🅰pocalypsis 🅰pocalypseos 🇷🇺 🇨🇳 🅉 (@apocalypseos) December 10, 2022

According to a statement from the Agrarian and Rural Front of Peru, which groups about a dozen organizations, rural unions, and organizations with a wide indigenous base are calling for an "indefinite strike" to be launched on Tuesday to demand the total suspension of congress, fresh elections, a new constitution, and Castillo's immediate release.

The Rural Front further insists that Castillo "did not perpetrate a coup d'etat" on Wednesday, adding that they have also declared Popular Insurgence against the "neo-fascist" coup d'état by Congress. They announced a National Shutdown on 13-14 December and a National day of "strife" on 15 December.