It rises to 18 dead in protests in Peru, and tourists are unable to leave the country

The number of deaths in the demonstrations in defense of the former president of Peru, Pedro Castillo, has risen to 18 people, announced the Minister of Health, Rosa Gutiérrez, this Friday (16). The violent wave of protests that began after the former leader’s failed coup attempt was responsible for even more roadblocks and the closure of five airports in the country.

Eight of these deaths occurred this Thursday (15), in Ayachucho, about 500 kilometers from Cusco. Protesters set fire to the local offices of the judiciary and prosecutors in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to extend Castillo’s pre-trial detention by 18 months.

Armed with stones and sticks, supporters of the former president still tried to take over the city’s airport. They were contained by the Army, which started to help the police to guarantee the maintenance of public safety since President Dina Boluarte declared a state of emergency across the country on Wednesday.

The Minister of Health said that six deaths from accidents linked to roadblocks, such as being run over, were recorded.

The turmoil caused by Castillo’s supporters also affected tourism, a sector responsible for about 4% of Peru’s GDP. According to the mayor of the district neighboring Machu Picchu, around 5,000 tourists are trapped in Cusco and are waiting in their hotels for their flights to resume.

Protesters are demanding early elections, the closure of Congress, the creation of a Constituent Assembly and the resignation of Boluarte, Castillo’s former deputy who took office when he was ousted by Congress.

Castillo is accused of rebellion and conspiracy after a failed coup attempt. He denies the accusations, and claims to follow the country’s leader by right — he has been communicating with his supporters through his Twitter profile, where he posts handwritten messages signed “constitutional president of Peru”.