More than 11,000 police officers will be deployed this Thursday in the Peruvian capital, Lima, and in Callao during the so-called ‘Toma de Lima’, a large anti-government demonstration to demand the resignation of the president, Dina Boluarte, and the calling of new elections.
Some 11,800 police officers will be part of the security contingent to monitor the protests, according to the head of the Lima police region, Víctor Zanabria. For his part, the national coordinator of the Crime Prevention Prosecutor’s Offices, Alfonso Barrenechea, has estimated that 50 provincial prosecutors will be mobilized.
Likewise, 196 cameras will be activated in different points of the capital, such as Plaza 2 de Mayo or Plaza San Martin, among others. The Peruvian Congress, the Palace of Justice and the Public Prosecutor’s Office have been cordoned off, according to the newspaper ‘La República’.
The day before, two people were killed in clashes between demonstrators and security forces, as well as blockades on the different access roads to the cities, especially on the Panamericana Norte and Sur.
The Peruvian Ministry of Health has declared hospitals and other health centers on red alert due to the clashes and congregations of crowds of people in the capital, Lima, as well as in other regions.
The deaths — more than 40 — are taking place in the midst of strong protests throughout Peru following the impeachment and arrest of former President Castillo on December 7. Protesters are calling on Boluarte to dissolve Congress and call for new general elections.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)