Peru to declare state of emergency over protests | BBC News

Key Concepts

• State of Emergency
• Impeachment
• Moral Incapacity
• Interim President
• Gen Z-led protests
• Pension Reforms
• Corruption
• Insecurity
• Extortion
• Hitmen-style killings
• Transport workers
• Protection rackets
• Criminal groups
• Curfew
• Cabinet approval

Peru: State of Emergency Declared in Lima Amidst Widespread Protests

The government of Peru has announced a state of emergency in the capital, Lima, following widespread clashes between protesters and riot police. These violent confrontations have resulted in the death of a 32-year-old man and injuries to over 100 individuals, including numerous police officers.

Background and Demands of Protesters

The demonstrations were primarily organized by young Peruvians, identified as Gen Z, who are expressing deep dissatisfaction with the current political class. Their core demands center on the need for more robust action to combat high levels of crime and corruption within the country.

These protests emerged less than a week after Jose Harry was sworn in as the interim president. His predecessor was impeached and refused to step down. President Harry acknowledged the inherited challenges, stating, "We have inherited a country with multiple demands that have not been addressed for years. These are difficult times for our country. But it is the duty of the authorities to be responsible, to seek dialogue and find unity for our country in these complicated times."

Escalation of Protests and Specific Grievances

The Gen Z-led anti-government protests initially began in late September, triggered by pension reforms that disproportionately affected younger citizens. However, the movement has rapidly escalated, with large crowds converging due to widespread anger over corruption and growing insecurity. Specific concerns include extortion and hitmen-style killings.

Transport workers have joined the youth protests, voicing their frustration that the government is not adequately addressing the escalating issue of extortion, which is reportedly at an all-time high in Peru. Alongside transport workers, musicians and other victims have also joined, refusing to pay protection money to criminal gangs such as Venezuela's Tren de Aragua and Peru's Los Pulpos.

These grievances have culminated in increasingly violent demonstrations, predominantly in Lima but also in other cities across Peru. Demonstrators have attempted to march on Congress, signaling their discontent that despite the impeachment of former President Dina Boluarte for "moral incapacity," the situation has not improved. Protesters feel that nothing has fundamentally changed, and her successor, Jose Harry, is equally unpopular. Consequently, they are demanding a complete overhaul of the government, with a particular focus on addressing crime and corruption.

Government Response and Proposed Measures

In response to the escalating unrest, the government announced on Thursday that a state of emergency would be implemented in the metropolitan area of Lima, with other regions potentially being considered. This measure is to be accompanied by a package of "concrete and effective measures" aimed at strengthening the security system and combating the crime crisis in the capital.

These proposed measures could include a curfew, though they are not yet finalized and require cabinet approval. The cabinet has been convened to expedite the process. President Harry has also denounced the violence, accusing criminal groups of infiltrating the protests. He claims these groups are not interested in peaceful demonstration but are seeking to exploit the volatile situation and destabilize Peru.

Political Instability and Presidential Tenure

Jose Harry is the seventh president of Peru in less than a decade, raising questions about the longevity of his term and the overall political stability of the nation. The president himself suggests that some individuals are capitalizing on this instability. His approach to quelling the protests is described as "pretty aggressive."

Eyewitness Accounts of Clashes

Protesters have shared harrowing accounts of their experiences during the clashes. One individual described the intense repression: "Unfortunately, the repression is so strong that the police started chasing us. They blocked us in. And at one point, I was helping my classmates because of the tear gas. I was giving them oxygen when one of the police came and shot me with pellets at point blank range which caused an impact and left me with injuries."

Conclusion

The situation in Peru is marked by significant social unrest driven by deep-seated issues of crime, corruption, and political instability. The declaration of a state of emergency and the proposed security measures reflect the government's attempt to regain control, while protesters continue to demand fundamental change and accountability from their leaders. The ongoing political volatility and the aggressive stance of the interim president suggest a challenging period ahead for the nation.