Peru protests: Death Toll Rises as Demonstrators Clashes in Lima

• Three more fatalities reported in Peruvian protests.
• Protests began after former leader Pedro Castillo was overthrown.
• Police used tear gas in Lima, death reported in village police station fire.

In the midst of demonstrations against Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, at least three more fatalities are reportedly confirmed.

After former leader Pedro Castillo was overthrown, weeks of protests resulted in the deaths of dozens of people.

In the capital city of Lima, where thousands of demonstrators from rural areas had gathered for days, police deployed tear gas to scatter the masses.

In the southern village of Macusani, where a police station allegedly caught fire, a woman passed away.

According to emergency services, the 35-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital without any vital signs.

Separately, the northern La Libertad area blockades have been blamed for two more deaths, according to Peru’s human rights organisation.

Thousands of indigenous people from the highlands converged to the city, according to journalist Neil Giardino, who told that “rage indignation made its way to Lima.”

“Every day more people from the south are arriving to push the state to recognise our rights,” said a driver from the city of Cusco in south-eastern Peru who travelled to Lima to participate in the protests.

There is so much suffering, the man remarked, adding that young people have perished, dads of two and three children have passed away, and women have become widows.

“Our military and police, rather than defending us, are killing us. It hurts so much. How can they kill us for rising up to defend our country? We’ve never robbed our country. We only want to improve our lives to build a better country.”

Demonstrators are calling for Ms. Boluarte to leave office, call new elections, and free Mr. Castillo, her left-wing predecessor, from prison.

The leaders of the southern regions of Puno, Cusco, and Apurimac have also called for the president’s resignation.

Years of political unrest in the nation culminated last month when Mr. Castillo was detained for attempting to dissolve Congress.

He is under investigation for alleged conspiracies and insurrection. He insists that he is still the lawful president of the nation and refutes all of the allegations.

Ms. Boluarte has defied calls for her resignation and earlier this week urged Peruvians to hold peaceful protests.

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