Peru declares state of emergency in some regions amid protests

BOGOTA, Colombia

Peru's government declared late Saturday a state of emergency for 30 days in multiple regions, including the capital Lima, amid ongoing protests.

The state of emergency will also cover the cities of Cusco, Callao and Puno.

The demonstrators are demanding the resignation of President Dina Boluarte, early elections and dissolution of Congress.

According to local media, 48 people have died and over 700 others injured in anti-government demonstrations since Dec. 11.

The government announced that 42 people died in the protests.

Elections to be held in April 2024

Protests erupted in Peru after former President Pedro Castillo's removal from office on Dec. 7.

Upon Boluarte's call for an early election, Congress voted to hold elections in April 2024.

Due to the deaths in protests, two ministers resigned from their posts on Dec. 17 and the ombudsman's office requested the prosecutor's office to launch an urgent investigation.

Castillo's dismissal

On Dec. 30, Peru's Supreme Court rejected an appeal against Castillo's 18-month preemptive prison sentence.

Castillo was impeached by Congress on charges of permanent moral incompetence after he tried to dissolve Congress.

The decision to remove Castillo from his post was adopted at a General Assembly meeting on Dec. 7, with 101 votes in favor, six against and 10 abstentions.

Castillo was detained after planning to dissolve Congress and install an emergency government.

*Writing by Seda Sevencan