Traffic blockades on the Interoceanic Highway and the Pan-American Highway reported 46 sites.
Lima
On Friday, Peruvians stage the third consecutive day of protests to demand the resignation of President Dina Boluarte, the closure of Congress, the call for a constituent process, and the release of former President Pedro Castillo.
The land Transport Superintendence confirmed the blockade of roads in 46 sites scattered in eight regions of the country. Among them is the blockade of traffic between Puno and Arequipa, two important commercial cities.
Social organizations, trade unions, and indigenous movements called for a national strike in several regions in rejection of Dina Boluarte’s government and in support of former president Pedro Castillo.
Currently, the strongest protests are taking place in the southern part of the country. Local media report traffic blockades on the Interoceanic Highway and the Pan-American Highway, as well as protests in Andahuaylas, Aymaraes, and Abancay.
#ATENCIÓN | Policías golpean, reducen a fotoperiodistas y obstaculizan que otros periodistas capten imágenes de las agresiones.@PoliciaPeru @MininterPeru @Defensoria_Peru @ANP_periodistas @cnddhh pic.twitter.com/7LzSmhRhYP
— 🇵🇪 Wayka (@WaykaPeru) January 5, 2023
In this last region, 70 percent of the population has complied with the national strike, leaving a large number of vehicles stranded on the roads. In the city of Chalhuanca, the police tried to unblock a highway, which led to clashes with the indigenous communities.
On Thursday, protests were reported in the departments of Apurimac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Puno, Cuzco, and Tacna. Motorcycle taxi drivers and food market workers then announced that they were joining the national strike.
Despite a persistent rain, the citizens held a sit-in in front of the Ayacucho Cathedral, from where they demanded justice for the almost 30 deaths caused by the repression in December.
In Arequipa, a mobilization of thousands of people demanded the departure of Dina Boluarte and the closure of Congress.
#Peru | Social organizations, trade unions, and indigenous movements called for a national strike in several regions in rejection of Dina Boluarte's government and in support of former president Pedro Castillo. pic.twitter.com/Ih1PG3QyTl
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 15, 2022
Demonstrations resumed in Peru after the Christmas truce and continue to demand the resignation of President Boluarte, the release of deposed president Pedro Castillo, the closure of Congress and early elections this year.
The South American country is under a state of emergency decreed by the government in December, in the framework of the protests unleashed since Castillo’s dismissal.
In the previous days, over 20 people died due to the repression. A subsystem of prosecutors would be created to clarify the deaths, said Attorney General Patricia Benavides.
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Courtesy: TeleSur (Posted on Jan 6, 2023)
