Protests continue against Boluarte after another victim dies in Peru

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Protestors demanded justice on Thursday across Peru for the victims of attacks registered as a consequence of repression at the hands of security forces.

Another victim succumbed to his injuries and passed away in the Puno region after he was injured on January 9 by security forces in the city of Juliaca. In light of that, the regional governments of Puno, Apurímac and Cusco requested incumbent president Dina Boluarte to resign. 

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The Peruvian Minister of Labor, Eduardo García Birimisa, has already resigned as a result of disagreement with Boluarte's mishandling of the social protests, which has so far resulted in the deaths of 48 people.

The Peruvian Attorney General's Office confirmed on Tuesday it launched an investigation into genocide against Boluarte, Prime Minister Alberto Otarola, and others over citizens killed during anti-government protests in December 2022 and January 2023.

"The Attorney General has ordered a preliminary investigation against Boluarte, Prime Minister Alberto Otarola, Interior Minister Victor Rojas, and Defense Minister Jorge Chavez," the office said in a statement. It added that "the preliminary investigation is related to the alleged crimes of genocide, murder, and grievous bodily harm committed during the demonstrations of December 2022 and January 2023 in the regions of Apurimac, La Libertad, Puno, Junin, Arequipa, and Ayacucho."

This comes after mourners prepared to bury the bodies on Thursday of 17 people killed in clashes between security forces and demonstrators. Roadblocks remain in 10 of the country's 25 departments, the transport superintendency said. Boluarte, 60, was ousted President Pedro Castillo's vice president, but took over once he was ousted on December 7.

The government of Peru on December 14 proclaimed a 30-day nationwide state of emergency to prevent protests that began since Castillo was ousted.