At least one more person has died on Thursday in the Apurimac region during the latest clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement officers, as part of anti-government protests demanding the ouster of Congress and the calling of elections, in which 47 fatalities have already been recorded.
The last death has been confirmed this Friday. It is the young Denilson Huaraca Vilchez, who would have been hit by a projectile during the repression of the protests that took place in several points of Apurimac, as reported by the newspaper ‘La Republica’, citing local media and relatives of the victim.
On Thursday Peruvians were called to participate in the general strike day called by unions and other civic and political organizations to pressure the Government and Congress to agree on the date of new elections, although among the main demands is also the resignation of the president, Dina Boluarte, who is scheduled to speak this Friday.
Throughout the day of strike and protests there have been clashes between demonstrators and security forces in several parts of the country, including downtown Lima, where the police tried to quell the mood by firing tear gas and rubber bullets. The marches are expected to continue this Friday.
Since the arrest of former president Pedro Castillo at the beginning of December after he tried to close the Congress, numerous protests have been taking place throughout the country. Amidst unfounded accusations of terrorism, the demonstrators demand the departure of Boluarte, the closing of Congress, early elections, as well as a constituent process to reform the Magna Carta and the release of Castillo.
For the time being, Congress has been unable to agree on a date for early elections. Boluarte, who would welcome going to the polls during the second semester of 2023, has insistently ruled out resigning, as in his words it would not help to solve the crisis.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
