The furious popular uprising against the new government continues in Peru! A new death!

source

One person was killed and around 30 people were wounded during protests against the Dina Boluarte administration on Wednesday in Cusco, southern Peru. According to the office of the Ombudsman, this latest fatality takes the total number of fatalities since the start of the protests a month ago to 41. This figure includes a policeman who was burnt alive by the mob. Roadblocks and vigils held in Juliaca, in the Andean district of Puno, to honor those slain in skirmishes with government officers in the morning prompted the United States to urge moderation on all parties.

In order to evaluate the state of human rights in the context of social unrest, a team from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) came in Lima on Wednesday. To stop violent protests that, just between Monday and Tuesday, resulted in the deaths of 17 civilians and the burning of a policeman in his patrol car, President Dina Boluarte imposed a curfew in the Aymara region of Puno. The prosecution launched an investigation into this alleged genocide on Tuesday.

The demonstrations' focal point is in this area near the Bolivian border, where tens of thousands of people marched on Wednesday through Juliaca, 1,300 kilometers south of Lima, carrying the coffins of the 17 civilian fatalities.

As people say goodbye to their dead and make promises to keep fighting until they force the resignation of what they see as an unjust government, displays of rage and anguish throughout the march grow more intense. In memory of the victims in the Puno area, where a three-day night curfew is in force to attempt to quell protesters, Peru on Wednesday designated a national day of mourning.

Hundreds of protesters and police clashed in Cusco, the historic Inca Empire's capital, injuring 22 people, including six police officers, one of whom was in critical condition, according to the Ministry of Health. Hundreds of people also marched against the administration in Arequipa, the second-largest city in Peru.

An indefinite strike has started in Tacna, near the Chilean border, and has been accompanied by instances of vandalism including the burning of toll booths and the attempted looting of a retail complex. A week ago, the Puno area went on an indefinite strike to press for Ms. Boluarte's resignation, quick elections for the president and legislature, and the calling of a Constituent Assembly.

As a first step in settling the conflict, the regional administrations of Puno and Cusco seek Boluarte's resignation. Ms. Boluarte served as vice president up until December 7, 2022, when socialist president Pedro Castillo was deposed and taken into custody on charges of trying to stage a coup by dissolving the Parliament that was going to remove him from office.

Despite being largely peaceful protests, some have turned violent, storming airports and destroying government buildings, to which the police and armed forces have also reacted violently.