After Short Christmas Break, Protests In Peru Against President Dina Boluarte Government Continues

After two weeks of calm during the Christmas season, protests in Peru reignited again on Wednesday with partial blockades in many leftist districts as they continue to call for the resignation of President Dina Boluarte.

Protestors on Wednesday in the regions of Puno, Cusco, Apurimac, Junin, and Arequipa found themselves with makeshift barricades using stones and burning tires as they continue their protests over the ouster of former President Pedro Castillo, according to Al Jazeera.

The representatives of the civil groups and unions in the 10 regions protesting against the government announced the resumption of the protests on Wednesday, making it clear that they will not give up on their demands until the government kowtows to them.

The release of Castillo, who is being held in an 18-month detention after attempting to illegally dissolve Congress to prevent the impeachment process, is one of the many demands of the protesters as they also want Boluarte to resign from the Presidency as well as Congress to be closed, Reuters reported.

“No one will want to talk to her. As long as Mrs Dina Boluarte does not resign, this will continue,” protest leader Milan Knezvich said.

Police and army officials are reportedly guarding public institutions and buildings in some areas as they prepare for a continuation of the protests. In anticipation of the protests, tourists were ushered out of Machu Picchu as train services in the area were suspended to prevent a repeat of last month when tourists were stranded in the area.

Prime Minister Alberto Otarola said that the situation was largely “normal,” except for some blockades which have affected the movement of people in the area. Boluarte also created a “Monitoring and Crisis Control” center in order to help the government act to the changes in the protests.

The government responded to the original protests in December by declaring a state of emergency in the country, giving authorities more powers and suspending certain rights in order to quell them down. Over 22 people have been reported dead due to the protests, with more than 600 people injured.