Peruvian authorities have raised to ten the total number of deaths caused by the demonstrations taking place throughout the country following the removal of former president Pedro Castillo, after two people died in clashes at the airport in the province of Ayacucho.
This has been confirmed in a statement by the Regional Health Directorate of Ayacucho, which has detailed that 13 other people have been injured in clashes with security forces when they tried to take over the Alfredo Mendívil Duarte National Airport, in central Peru.
«Ambulances from the Santa Elena Health Center, Samu, the Peruvian Fire Department and health brigades are being mobilized for initial care and transfer to the nearest health facilities,» the Ayacucho health directorate said.
In this sense, the country’s authorities have urged the population to remain calm and to respect the work of health personnel, claiming that their only mission is «to save lives without distinction».
The latest deaths come in the midst of strong protests that are taking place throughout Peru following the removal and arrest of former President Pedro Castillo on December 7. Protesters are calling on the country’s new president, Dina Boluarte, to dissolve Congress and call for new general elections.
The Peruvian government has decreed a 30-day national state of emergency in response to the protests in support of former president Pedro Castillo.
The Executive has also declared an emergency in the National Road Network, allowing the Army to take to the streets in an effort to protect the country’s strategic points, including airports, hydroelectric plants and other key infrastructure, such as highways.
