Peru: Seven killed in protests in support of Castillo

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Five more protesters lost their lives in Peru as deadly-turned protests in support of ousted President Pedro Castillo continued.

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 new President Dina Boluarte declared a state of emergency in the areas of the country witnessing the deadly clashes. 

But that had a negligible effect as protesters continued to demand her resignation, blocking roads in several cities around the country with logs, rocks, and burning tires. 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.