• Boluarte bemoaned the violence that has killed more than 40 people.
• A police officer burned alive in a truck
• Dina Boluarte apologized for the situation.

Peruvian President Dina Boluarte has apologized for dozens of deaths in recent rallies around the country but has insisted that she would not stand down.

In a late-night address to the nation on Friday, Boluarte bemoaned the violence that has killed more than 40 people since December – largely protestors in fights with security forces, but also a police officer burned alive in a truck – and injured hundreds more police and demonstrators.

Boluarte said in the address: “Some voices that have come from the violent and radical factions are asking for my resignation, provoking the population into chaos, disorder, and destruction,” “I will not resign. My commitment is with Peru.”

“I cannot stop reiterating my regret for the deaths of Peruvians in these protests,” she said.

Following these statements, she apologized for the situation.

Protests have erupted across the South American country after former President Pedro Castillo was ousted. Boluarte, who was a vice president at the time, took over as president.

Boluarte also dismissed the notion of convening a constitutional assembly, as sought by demonstrators, citing Chile’s challenges in developing and approving a new constitution.

“That is not going to happen overnight,” she remarked.

For weeks, supporters of the former president have marched and barricaded streets across the country, demanding new elections and Boluarte’s resignation.

Protesters continue to construct roadblocks in 10 of the country’s 25 departments, according to authorities.

Several regional governors and professional associations, including attorneys and teachers, have called for Boluarte’s resignation.

Peru has seen political unrest in recent years. Boluarte, 60, is the sixth president in the last five years.

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