(Lima) Peruvian President Dina Boluarte called on Tuesday for a “national truce” while in Lima, a new large demonstration demanding her departure was the scene of violent clashes.
The mobilization is not weakening with a national day of protest and marches scheduled for Wednesday in many cities across the country.
In Lima, several thousand protesters from the Andean regions – poor –, many in traditional dress, marched through the center, carrying Peruvian flags and shouting “Dina assassine”, in reference to the 46 people killed since the start of the war. dispute in December.
Significant clashes took place in the late afternoon and evening between demonstrators, some of whom were equipped with iron shields, who were throwing stones, and numerous police officers who were charging with tear gas, noted journalists from AFP, who witnessed the arrests.
PHOTO MARTIN MEJIA, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Several people were injured by projectiles or hit by gas during the most violent day of demonstrations in Lima since the beginning of the unrest.
Two photographers, including one from AFP, were hit by pellets and stones.
“No truce! »
Before this big gathering, the second in Lima in a few days, Mme Boluarte had once again tried to defuse tensions, calling on his “dear homeland for a national truce” to “restore dialogue”, “set an agenda for each region” and “develop” the country.
“I have no intention of staying in power,” she promised, ensuring that she wanted to respect the Constitution and step down in the elections brought forward to 2024.
PHOTO ANGELA PONCE, REUTERS
Several thousand poor protesters from the provinces marched through the center of the capital with Peruvian flags and cries of “Dina murders”.
Visibly moved, M.me Boluarte also asked “forgiveness for the dead”, promising investigations to determine the perpetrators.
An intervention without effect on the demonstrators.
“We listened to Madame Boluarte. His vision is pathetic. The Peruvian people, all of us, we are not going to have a truce. We have nothing to discuss with Mr.me Bolarte. The only thing the people want is for her to resign and for there to be new elections,” said Carlos Avedano, 35, carrying the tricolor of Andahuaylas, the epicenter of the unrest in December.
“We no longer believe his words,” says Rosa Soncco, 37, from Acomayo, at more than 3,000 meters above sea level, in the Cuzco region (south). “There are 50 dead. How many mothers cry? »
PHOTO SEBASTIAN CASTANEDA, REUTERS
Significant clashes took place in the early evening between demonstrators who threw stones and police in large numbers who charged with tear gas, noted an AFP journalist.
“We demand: one, that she resign; two, change Congress; then new elections. We want a transitional government,” she said.
A protester brandished a large doll holding a bloody knife, decked out with a photo of the interim president, who came to power after the dismissal in early December of the former left-wing president, Pedro Castillo.
In the procession paraded dozens of army reservists wearing pants, caps or khaki jerseys. “The cursed (leaders) have trampled on us for decades, but now the people have risen,” said Crispin Quispe, a reservist from the Puno region. “We fought, hungry, cold. Without getting paid, and now they’re trampling on us. We are ready for all fights, ”he swears.
In the evening, the authorities announced the closure of the airport of Cuzco, the tourist capital of the country, in addition to those of the airports of Puno and Arequipa.
“Irresponsibility”
The unrest began on December 7 after the dismissal and arrest of Mr. Castillo, accused of having attempted a coup d’etat by wanting to dissolve the Parliament which was preparing to oust him from power.
Mme Boluarte, his former vice-president and running mate in the 2021 elections, attacked him verbally.
“It suited him to make this coup in order to pose as a victim […] and not to answer before the prosecutor for the acts of corruption of which he is accused. There are no victims here, Mr. Castillo: there is a country that is bleeding because of your irresponsibility, ”she said, stressing that she had the same modest and Andean origins as him.
The crisis reflects the huge rift between the capital and the impoverished provinces, which backed Mr Castillo and saw his election as revenge for what they see as Lima’s contempt.
Mme Boluarte is due to speak on Wednesday before the Organization of American States (OAS) while the international community and human rights associations have criticized a “disproportionate” use of force by repression.
“I will come before the OAS to tell the truth. The Peruvian government and especially Dina Boluarte have nothing to hide. Fifty people died [en ajoutant les morts dus au blocage des routes]it hurts me,” she said.