AFP extension
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At least 47 people have been killed in the unrest in Peru so far. Dozens of civilians and policemen were injured. The violence is now entering its sixth week and has escalated further this week.
Yesterday, in the southern region of Puno, two policemen were attacked in their cars by a group of protesters. One of the officers was tied up, kicked in the head and left behind. He survived the crash. The official car, in which the colleague was sitting, was set on fire. Local authorities report that the officer was tortured and then burned alive.
Supporters of former President Castillo are calling for his release and the resignation of Boluarte and his government. Boluarte, a party member, succeeded Castillo in early December. He has ignored the request for new elections, although he is willing to bring them forward, from 2026 to 2024.
Boluarte is under fire due to police repression. The Peruvian judiciary has announced that it will investigate the actions of the police under the Boluarte government.
Human rights groups, including the United Nations, had called for an independent investigation into the role of Boluarte and his government in the deaths of mostly indigenous Peruvians. The authorities are accused of, among other things, shooting a protesting crowd with live ammunition and murder. Security forces are said to have used gas grenades from helicopters.
Indigenous people of Peru lead the wave of protests. The unrest is greatest in Puno, a region bordering Bolivia.
These are the images of the unrest between Castillo’s supporters and the police:
Killed during protests in Peru
Brute force is used on both sides. Peru’s military reports that Castillo’s supporters are also using weapons and homemade explosives. Prime Minister Otarola has announced a curfew in Puno.
