Peru President declares state of emergency, announces early elections
Two Peruvians were killed in the protests in support of ousted President Castillo.
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Two teenagers were killed in clashes with police in the southern city of Andahuaylas (Reuters)
Protests-fueled Peru, since the impeachment of President Pedro Castillo, will hold early elections in April 2024, announced new President Dina Boluarte.
"I decided to take the initiative to reach an agreement with the Congress of the Republic to postpone the general elections to April 2024," Boluarte said in an address to the people of the country, as broadcast social media.
Peru's parliament impeached Castillo on December 7, and Prime Minister Dina Boluarte took an oath as the country's new President two hours later, vowing to serve the rest of Castillo's term, until July 2026.
However, following deadly-turned protests in support of ousted President Castillo, the President seems to have given in to the people's demand for early elections and declared a state of emergency in the areas of the country witnessing the deadly clashes.
Dina Boluarte anuncia: Estado de emergencia, adelanto de elecciones el 2024, aprobar las reformas derechistas: bicameralidad, reelección, renovación, etc., nada de Asamblea Constituyente. Gravísimo error, que incrementará la crisis social. pic.twitter.com/SdOA7BTpPH
— Vladimir Cerrón (@VLADIMIR_CERRON) December 12, 2022
At least two people died as a result of clashes between protesters and police at Andahuaylas Airport in Peru, the RPP (Radio Programas del Peru) broadcaster said.
La vida de ningún peruano amerita ser sacrificada por intereses políticos. Expreso mis condolencias por el fallecimiento de un ciudadano en Andahuaylas. Reitero mi invocación al diálogo y a deponer la violencia.
— Dina Boluarte Z. (@DinaErcilia) December 11, 2022
According to the Peruvian Corporation of Commercial Airports and Aviation (CORPAC), violence broke out at Andahuaylas Airport on Sunday.
Later that day, RPP reported deaths during clashes between law enforcement and protesters at the Airport, and that over ten other people, both police and protesters, were injured.
Outraged protesters are calling for Castillo to be released and Boluarte to resign amid violent clashes with law enforcement.
Protests also took place in the Peruvian capital of Lima on Sunday, as well as in Apurimac, Cajamarca, Arequipa, Lambayeque, and Ica, according to local media reports. Peruvian citizens, trade unions, and other associations are protesting against the continued work of President Dina Boluarte and her government and are demanding an immediate presidential election.
Massive rallies were held over the last four days in support of 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.
Shortly after 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 that she had formed a new cabinet composed of 19 ministers, eight of whom are female, at the presidential palace.
