One day before Dina Boluarte completes a month in the Presidency of Peru, at least 15 people were injured in protests organized this Friday (6) by supporters of Pedro Castillo, leader deposed after an attempted coup d’état. Protesters demand the resignation of the current Chief Executive.
Dozens of people tried to take over the Inca Manco Capac international airport, in the region of Puno, close to the Peruvian border with Bolivia. The action was prevented by the police, who intervened with the use of tear gas. Outside, at least one security forces vehicle was set on fire.
Protests against Boluarte resumed this Thursday (5) and gained membership this Friday after a two-week truce during the New Year holidays. Earlier, 22 people died in violent clashes after Castillo’s ousting.
At least 13 protesters and two police officers were injured on Friday, according to local media. Andean Airports of Peru, the company that operates the airport in the Puno region, said services were suspended “due to the violent acts and lack of security.”
In December, protesters adopted the same strategy, forcing the closure of three airports in Peru. On Friday, 49 blockage points were reported in different regions of the country, officials said. In the region of Ica, activists blocked a major highway, preventing the passage of dozens of passenger and cargo vehicles.
“We already supported last year’s strike, we have been unemployed for about ten days and the truth is that, with the pandemic and everything that has happened, we want to continue working,” said José Palomino, a driver affected by the blockade.
Protesters demand Boluarte’s resignation, the closure of Congress, constitutional changes and Castillo’s release. The former president is serving 18 months in pretrial detention while being investigated for “rebellion” after trying to illegally close Congress, a charge he denies.
The country’s attorney general announced on Friday that it is evaluating complaints against Boluarte and three of his ministers and, if justified, will launch an investigation into the deaths that occurred during the December protests.
Human rights groups accused security forces of using lethal firearms against demonstrators. The army says the activists used explosives and homemade weapons.
Boluart wrote on social networks that “he will provide all the appropriate resources for the prompt clarification of the facts”.
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