LIMA: The country's newest leader, Dina Boluarte, accepted the demands of protesters early Monday and announced in a speech broadcast nationwide that she would send a proposal to Congress to hold early elections.
Thousands of protesters marched through the streets of Peru for a second day on Sunday, calling for Boluarte to resign and elections to replace him and Congress. Authorities say at least two people have died as a result of the deadly protests in the remote Andean community.
Boluarte said she would suggest holding general elections in April 2024. He had previously argued that he should be allowed to serve the remaining 3 1/2 years of his predecessor's term.
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"My responsibility as President of the Republic in this difficult time is to interpret, read and collect the aspirations, interests and concerns of the vast majority of Peruvians, if not all," said Boluaarte.
Interpreting the citizens' wishes in a broad sense, "I have decided to take the initiative to reach an agreement with the Congress of the Republic to pursue general elections."
In the ongoing political crisis, many protesters are demanding the release of centre-left President Pedro Castillo, who was ousted by lawmakers on Wednesday after attempting to dissolve Congress ahead of an impeachment vote.
Protests intensified in Peru, especially in rural areas where Castillo, a former teacher and political newcomer from a destitute Andean mountain region, enjoys support.
In addition to marching in the streets, protesters ransacked a small airport used by the military and set fire to a police station.
Congresswoman Maria Taipe Coronado said a 15-year-old boy died from injuries he sustained during a protest in the remote Andean community of Andahuales as he loudly pleaded for Boluarte's resignation from the Capitol building.
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Mrs. Dina's failure to submit her resignation is to blame for the countryman's death, according to Taipei, a member of the party that supported Castillo and Boluarte in their campaigns for vice president and president respectively, expelling both last year. was given. When did it become illegal to protest?
Taipei accused the government of suppressing the protests in a coercive manner. However, the cause of the boy's death is still unknown, and state media reported a second death in the same community without further details.
The second protester to die was an 18-year-old, according to Anthony Gutierrez, director of a nearby hospital, who told a local radio station. At least 26 were also reported injured.
Additionally, hundreds of people demonstrated in the country's capital, Lima, where riot police used tear gas to quell the crowd.
In his address to the nation, Boluaarte declared a state of emergency in areas outside Lima, where the protests have been particularly violent.
After shocking the nation by ordering the dissolution of Congress, which in turn dismissed him for "permanent moral incapacity," Boluaarte, 60, was quickly sworn in to replace Castillo in midweek. Castillo was taken into custody on suspicion of insurrection.
A third impeachment attempt against Castillo was about to begin when he made his unsuccessful move against the opposition-led Congress.
Protests have been going on for several days at various places across the country. Roadblocks put up by protesters have also left motorists stranded for several hours.
A hospital in Andahuilas treated 16 patients on Saturday, and one of them is said to be in serious condition.
To recover from the most recent upheaval, Boluaarte has called for a period of national integration. However, a large part of the pro-Castillo population has called him a "traitor".
"No Peruvian deserves to sacrifice his life for political gains," Boluaarte tweeted hours before his address to the nation.
“I express my condolences on the passing of an Andahuillas resident. I urge people once again to engage in dialogue and stop using violence.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, hundreds gathered once again outside Lima's legislative palace. As lawmakers were just beginning a session inside the building, dozens of police officers in riot gear used tear gas against the gathering. As the protesters fled the scene through clouds of gas, police chased and beat them.
Six presidents have served Peru in the past six years, including three consecutive presidents in 2020, when Congress exercised the powers of impeachment.
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As the Andes region and thousands of its small farms struggle to survive the worst drought in half a century, a power struggle rages on in the nation.
The country of more than 33 million people is also dealing with a fifth wave of COVID-19 infections; Since the start of the pandemic, there have been approximately 4.3 million infections and 217,000 deaths.