Political Crisis in Peru: State of Emergency Extends

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In the midst of the uprising of thousands of citizens who demand the resignation of President Dina Bolluarte, with at least 48 dead in two months.

The Peruvian government extended and extended the state of emergency on Sunday amid an uprising by thousands of citizens demanding the resignation of President Dina Bolluarte, which has killed at least 48 people in two months.

The measure concerns seven regions in southern Peru — Madre de Dios, Cusco, Puno, Apurimac, Arequipa, Moquegua and Tacna — and is valid for 60 days, according to the Government Gazette.

On January 13, the government extended for 30 days the state of emergency in Lima, El Callao, Cusco and Puno.

The extension does not affect the capital Lima, nor El Callao, home to the country’s largest ports and airport and where the state of emergency is expected to end in mid-February.

The measure authorizes the intervention of the armed forces to enforce order and provides for the suspension of constitutionally guaranteed rights and freedoms, including the freedoms of movement of persons, assembly and the inviolability of private residence.

The government decree imposes a 20:00 to 04:00 curfew for ten days in Puno, the epicenter of the mass protests, where 18 civilians and one policeman were killed in the January 9 incidents.

Peru has been rocked by a political crisis, with almost daily protests and riots, since December 7, when leftist former President Pedro Castillo, accused of attempting a “coup” by announcing he would dissolve Congress as it prepared to oust him and rule with orders, was terminated and taken into custody.

Road blockades by protesters have caused shortages of food, fuel and other essentials in several areas.

The participants in the mass mobilizations demand the resignation of President Bolwarte, the dissolution of the Congress, discredited by public opinion, the immediate calling of parliamentary and presidential elections and the convening of a Constituent Assembly. Ms. Boluarte, until then vice president, took the helm of the country after the suspension and arrest of Mr. Castillo.

Several attempts to pass legislation to hold early elections this year have failed. The latest was filed on Friday, to no avail; that means any new debate on the issue in Congress won’t happen until August.

On Saturday, riots broke out after a demonstration in downtown Lima.

The movement is led by the indigenous element of the South. They saw in Mr. Castillo, a former trade unionist and educator with humble origins and indigenous roots, an ally in the fight against poverty, racism and inequality.

RES-EMP

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