Protest in Peru takes an ugly turn; at least 20 people injured

• At least 20 injured in Andahuaylas protester-police skirmishes.
• Former President Pedro Castillo was removed last week.
• Ombudsman determining if injured received “adequate medical care.”

In the clashes between protesters and police on Saturday in the Andean city of Andahuaylas, at least 20 people including four police officers were hurt.

On Twitter, the Ombudsman’s Office stated that it was collaborating with medical professionals to determine if the injured had received “appropriate medical care in the municipal hospital,” although it did not provide specifics regarding the injuries.

Although it mentioned that several persons had been apprehended, it did not specify how many.

Two police officers who had been held hostage by the demonstrators had been released, according to the National Police, and were being examined by medical professionals.

According to information released to the media by the Ministry of Interior, Andahuaylas is one of several towns in the nation where residents took to the streets this Friday in support of former President Pedro Castillo who was ousted earlier this week. The reason for Saturday’s protest is still unclear.

Following an unsuccessful attempt to dissolve Peru‘s Congress and call for fresh elections, Castillo was ousted from office on Wednesday. In the same day that he was detained for allegedly committing the act of rebellion, parliament also impeached him.

Peruvian MPs referred to the action as a coup, and on the same day that Dina Boluarte was sworn in as president, the majority of the 130-member Congress voted to impeach Castillo.

After her predecessor was dramatically removed from office and sent in custody, Peru’s new President disqualified early elections on her first day in office on Thursday.

The Supreme Court ordered a seven-day preliminary arrest of Castillo on Thursday after determining that he posed a flight risk.

Castillo has been the subject of numerous inquiries into, among other things, whether he used his position to acquire favor or special treatment for himself, his family, and closest supporters.

He has emphasized his willingness to participate with any probe while vehemently disputing every accusation. He contends that the accusations stem from a witch hunt against him and his family by factions who refused to recognize his election victory.

The Ombudsman Office reiterated its “call to the population not to resort to violent means during their protests” and asked the National Police that “any action to restore public order must be carried out within the framework of the law of use of force.”

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