Anti-government protesters battle police for second day in central Lima

Anti-government protesters clashed with police after a fire broke out at a mansion near the historic Plaza San Martin in Lima, Peru, on Thursday. Photo by Renato Pajuelo/EPA-EFE

Eyewitness reports and social media posts suggest protesters also clashed with police at the Colmena transit station, which appeared to be damaged in the skirmish, in the streets near Lima’s central market, Chinatown and other key locations in the capital’s historic center district conflict.

The government brought in tanks and armored vehicles operated by the National Police but did not use them on Friday, the agency said.

Lima police chief Victor Zanabria moved to the capital from the country’s southern Andean region on Thursday and met with nearly 12,000 police and security force personnel amid ongoing protests that left an estimated 54 dead tell a reporter.

Peruvian Defense Minister Jorge Chávez Cresta called some demonstrators “violent extremists” who had crossed the line of legitimate political protest and turned criminal attack At a police station in Peru’s Puno region this week, a woman died when the police station was set on fire.

“I express my respect and solidarity with the Peruvian National Police, not only for the professional work they carried out the next day in the city of Lima, but also for the reprehensible attack and fire at the Zepita police station, in the Puno region, “he is press conference.

Protesters took to the streets of the South American country for the first time last month to demand the reinstatement of former President Pedro Castillo, who was impeached after trying to dissolve Congress following previous impeachment attempts.

This constitutional court peruvian Decide Castillo’s attempt to dissolve Congress was a coup attempt to interfere with the legitimate impeachment process.

Castillo tried to flee the country but was detained before he could leave, and Boluarte was later sworn in as caretaker president. She supports efforts to bring forward presidential and congressional elections, originally scheduled for 2026, to next year.

Anger against Boluarte was evident this week in Lima, with street vendors selling T-shirts saying “Get out, Dina Boluarte,” “Dina murderer, Peru refuses to accept you,” and other calls to hold New Electors, Madrid newspaper national newspaper.