Peruvian authorities have confirmed the death of at least seven people as a result of clashes between the country’s police and demonstrators in ongoing protests in southern Peru demanding the release of former president Pedro Castillo and the calling of presidential elections.
Of the total number of deaths, six have taken place in the Department of Apurimac, while another has occurred in Arequipa, as reported by the regional health directorates of both regions in statements reported by the radio station RPP.
Among the dead are two minors, aged 15 and 16, who reportedly lost their lives in demonstrations in the towns of Andahuaylas and Chincheros, both in Apurimac.
Likewise, the Regional Government of Apurimac has detailed that 28 people have been reported injured on Monday.
For its part, the Regional Health Management of Arequipa has reported that 26 people have been injured during the protests, of which 16 are men and eight are women.
In addition to the civilians, up to 119 police officers have been injured throughout the country, among whom one remains seriously injured and six have been held hostage for several hours, a police official told RPP.
Likewise, 15 police officers have been injured after being attacked with pyrotechnic devices and explosives during a confrontation in Andahuaylas, in Apurimac, the Peruvian National Police said in a statement.
Thousands of people are protesting in the south of the country against the dismissal of Pedro Castillo, asking the new government to call for presidential elections.
The clashes between police and demonstrators have led the president of the Andean country, Dina Boluarte, to declare a state of emergency in three regions of the country: Ica, Arequipa and Apurimac.
«I announce the declaration of a state of emergency in areas of high social conflict. I have given instructions to peacefully recover the control of internal order, without affecting the fundamental rights of the citizens,» said the newly appointed Peruvian president in a televised speech on Sunday night.
60 DAY STATE OF EMERGENCY A day after Boluarte announced the declaration of a state of emergency in the south of the country due to the turbulent protests, the Executive has detailed that the measure will last for 60 days.
This state of emergency will be maintained for a little more than two months in the departments of Ica, Arequipa and Apurimac, as reported by Andina news agency.
In this context, the Peruvian National Police will be able to maintain «the control of internal order», all this with the support of the Armed Forces, according to a decree published this Monday afternoon by the Executive.
