LIMA: At least 17 people died Monday in Peru as protesters attempting to storm an airport clashed with security forces in the latest violent spasm of a month-old political crisis.
This new chapter of bloodshed took place in the city of Juliacain the Puno region, an official from the local ombudsman’s office told AFP.
The previous death toll of 12 rose as five of around 40 injured in the clashes died of their injuries, the official said.
Like others for a month, these demonstrators demanded the departure of President Dina boluartewho took over after the ousting and arrest of then-president Pedro Castillo on December 7.
The impeachment of Castillo after he attempted to dissolve Congress and begin governing by decree – he faced multiple corruption probes – sparked weeks of nationwide clashes in a country plagued by years of political instability.
Protesters angry at the impeachment of leftist Castillo want Boluarte to resign and new elections right away. They have already been moved from 2026 to April 2024.
In total, with these new deaths, the clashes sparked by Castillo’s ouster have now left 39 dead nationwide.
Those killed Monday in Juliaca had gunshot wounds, an official said. Calos Monge Hospital told a Peruvian television channel.
“The police are shooting at us,” a protester who declined to give his name told AFP.
“We are asking Dina to resign,” he added. “Accept the fact that people don’t want you.”
“What is happening is that Peruvians are killing each other. I ask for calm,” Juliaca Mayor Oscar Caceres said in a desperate plea for peace.
Alberto Otarola, chief of staff to the new president, said thousands of protesters approached the airport on Monday and around 2,000 of them attacked police as they tried to storm the establishment with makeshift weapons and gunpowder.
Protesters had already tried on Saturday to invade Juliaca airport, which is protected by police and soldiers.
Juliaca, located in the Puno region on the border with Bolivia, is home to many people from the indigenous Aymara group. Puno has been a hotbed of anti-government protests since the outbreak of the last crisis. An indefinite strike was declared there on 4 January.
Protests against the Boluarte government paused over the New Year holidays but resumed that day.
On Monday, protesters blocked roads in six of the country’s 25 departments, including areas popular with tourists.
Boluarte was Castillo’s vice president and is a leftist like him. But many Native people call her a traitor who does not defend their cause.
In another development on Monday, the government said it was barring entry to Evo Morales, the former president of Bolivia, accusing him of trying to interfere in Peru’s affairs.
Morales, who served as his country’s first indigenous president, expressed support for protests against Boluarte, especially in ethnic Puno Aymara region bordering Bolivia.
This new chapter of bloodshed took place in the city of Juliacain the Puno region, an official from the local ombudsman’s office told AFP.
The previous death toll of 12 rose as five of around 40 injured in the clashes died of their injuries, the official said.
Like others for a month, these demonstrators demanded the departure of President Dina boluartewho took over after the ousting and arrest of then-president Pedro Castillo on December 7.
The impeachment of Castillo after he attempted to dissolve Congress and begin governing by decree – he faced multiple corruption probes – sparked weeks of nationwide clashes in a country plagued by years of political instability.
Protesters angry at the impeachment of leftist Castillo want Boluarte to resign and new elections right away. They have already been moved from 2026 to April 2024.
In total, with these new deaths, the clashes sparked by Castillo’s ouster have now left 39 dead nationwide.
Those killed Monday in Juliaca had gunshot wounds, an official said. Calos Monge Hospital told a Peruvian television channel.
“The police are shooting at us,” a protester who declined to give his name told AFP.
“We are asking Dina to resign,” he added. “Accept the fact that people don’t want you.”
“What is happening is that Peruvians are killing each other. I ask for calm,” Juliaca Mayor Oscar Caceres said in a desperate plea for peace.
Alberto Otarola, chief of staff to the new president, said thousands of protesters approached the airport on Monday and around 2,000 of them attacked police as they tried to storm the establishment with makeshift weapons and gunpowder.
Protesters had already tried on Saturday to invade Juliaca airport, which is protected by police and soldiers.
Juliaca, located in the Puno region on the border with Bolivia, is home to many people from the indigenous Aymara group. Puno has been a hotbed of anti-government protests since the outbreak of the last crisis. An indefinite strike was declared there on 4 January.
Protests against the Boluarte government paused over the New Year holidays but resumed that day.
On Monday, protesters blocked roads in six of the country’s 25 departments, including areas popular with tourists.
Boluarte was Castillo’s vice president and is a leftist like him. But many Native people call her a traitor who does not defend their cause.
In another development on Monday, the government said it was barring entry to Evo Morales, the former president of Bolivia, accusing him of trying to interfere in Peru’s affairs.
Morales, who served as his country’s first indigenous president, expressed support for protests against Boluarte, especially in ethnic Puno Aymara region bordering Bolivia.
