Peru in turmoil, President Boluarte calls for calm
Protesters march in Lima, January 16, 2023. AP - Martin Mejia
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
Demonstrators from the Andean and rural provinces, the epicenter of the protests, are on their way to Lima, the capital.
They announce a big march this Thursday, January 19.
Objective: the resignation of President Dina Boluarte, the dissolution of Congress and new elections.
The president, for her part, called for calm.
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Anger is brewing against the repression which has already killed more than 42 people in one month.
Many social demands are also being heard.
In Lima, we therefore expect these demonstrators from the provinces for the so-called “4 suyos” march, in reference to a large march of the 2000s against President Fujimori.
This Tuesday, several hundred are marching through the streets of Lima on the 15th day of mobilization, noted our correspondent in Lima,
Juliette Chaignon
.
In the center, the police block access to several places usually used as a meeting point.
There are some clashes.
Several dozen demonstrators, from the interior of the country, like Rony Garagundo, are already there.
“
Those who fight are the provincials.
We are forced to become so far in the capital.
Because it is here that the palace of the government and the Congress are located, which must close.
And we want a constitutional change.
It does not defend the interests of the people.
»
Rony is staying with friends.
He eats the plate of rice offered by demonstrators in Lima.
On the road, the convoys also receive water and food.
And pots have also been created.
“
As you can see, this water, these cakes, this can of tuna, are financed by the people
.
»
"Take Lima Peacefully"
The trip can be very long: 1300 km from Puno to Lima, for example.
26 hours to come from Arequipa, says Felipe Dominguez, union leader: “
There are police checks on the road.
At the moment, we are 45, but we are expecting hundreds of comrades who are still stuck.
We have already demonstrated in our cities.
We now come to Lima, peacefully.
»
For her part, President Dina Boluarte insists: her resignation and a new Constitution are impossible demands.
"
We know that they want to 'take' Lima
" given "
everything that comes out on the networks, on the 18th and 19th (Wednesday and Thursday).
I ask them to take Lima, but peacefully and calmly
,” Ms. Boluarte said during a speech at the Constitutional Court.
Difficult for the moment to predict the magnitude of the big march on Thursday.
The protesters, mostly Andean peasants, believe that they will be better heard in the capital after weeks of mobilization in their regions.
Protests are expected to swell in Lima as they arrive.
The protests erupted after the December 7 impeachment and arrest of left-wing President Pedro Castillo, accused of attempting to carry out a coup in an attempt to dissolve parliament which was about to oust him from power.
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Peru
Dina Boluarte