Peru: Violent Anti-Crime Protests Leave One Dead

Violent Anti-Crime Protests in Peru Leave One Dead as Government Fails to Quell Unrest Peru One person died and more than 100 were injured Wednesday after protesters clashed with police at anti-crime demonstrations in the Peruvian capital of Lima, as weeks of unrest continued despite the ouster of the president over corruption and security failures, France 24 reported. During a protest organized on Wednesday by Gen Z groups, transport workers, and civil society organizations, some demonstrators tried to tear down metal barriers protecting Congress, while others threw stones and lit fireworks. Riot police responded with tear gas, Reuters noted. One death, of a 32-year-old male, was reported: According to prosecutors, he was shot to death but they did not identify the shooter. Newly appointed interim President Jose Jeri said the killing would be “objectively” investigated. Jeri blamed the violence on “delinquents who infiltrated a peaceful demonstration to sow chaos.” In an effort to de-escalate the unrest, Jeri vowed to “declare war” on organized crime and make it his top priority. The government’s perceived failure to deal with a worsening crime crisis has been drawing thousands of people to youth-led protests in Lima and other cities in recent weeks. Following demonstrations by bus companies, merchants, and students against extortion by criminal gangs, and attacks on those who refuse to pay protection money, lawmakers voted last week to impeach President Dina Boluarte, blamed by critics for the crisis. Extortion and contract killings have become daily events in the South American country. Gangs like Los Pulpos and Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua, active across Latin America, have escalated their kidnapping and ransom operations in the country. The impeachment, however, failed to quell the unrest. Jeri, meanwhile, will remain in office until next year’s elections. However, he already faced serious scandals, including corruption allegations and a now-suspended investigation for sexual assault. He has denied any wrongdoing and said he would cooperate with investigators. Still, analysts believe he won’t last long running the country. He is the country’s seventh president since 2016. Three of those are in prison.