Fajarasia.id – A man in Lima died Saturday and several others were hospitalized as clashes between protesters and police across Peru over the political crisis entered its eighth week.
The death of Victor Santisteban Yaksavirka, 55, brings the death toll to 58 during protests that began in early December following the impeachment and arrest of then-President Pedro Castillo.
The wave of protests initially broke out in rural and mountainous areas of southern Peru, but has spread to the country’s capital in recent weeks.
The Peruvian ombudsman said in a statement that Saturday’s protests were mainly in Lima and southern Cusco.
Santisteban suffered serious head injuries, the National Health Service said in a statement. Some protests escalated as demonstrators armed with rocks and artificial shields clashed with police using gas and rubber bullets.
Peru’s ombudsman condemned reports of attacks against journalists covering the protests.
President Dina Boluarte expressed her regrets on Saturday after Peru’s parliament refused to speed up presidential elections amid the crisis, her office said.
Lawmakers had tentatively approved delaying the election from her 2026 to her 2024, but decided on Friday to reject a proposal to hold elections this year.
Mr. Boruarte has repeatedly voiced his support for expedited elections in an attempt to appease protesters demanding his resignation. A motion to hasten the elections to April 2024 has been voted on, with a final vote in February. Congress will resume debate on Monday.
Bolarte said on Friday that presidential elections could take place this year.
On Monday (January 30, 2023), quoted by the editor, Boruarte’s office said on Twitter, “I urge lawmakers to set aside the interests of factions and their groups and put Peru’s interests first.” .
“We, the people, await clear answers to emerge from this political crisis and establish social peace. Boruarte, who took office after Castillo was ousted, said he would remain president until elections.
