In a televised message overnight from Sunday to Monday, Dina Boularte announced that she would present a bill aimed at advancing the general elections from 2026 to April 2024 as the country is rocked by demonstrations which have made two died during the day, after the dismissal of President Pedro Castillo, a week ago.
A few days ago, just after the dismissal and arrest of Pedro Castillo, Dina Boluarte had said her wish to end her term in July 2026. But the street will have been right in her will. And the formation, on Saturday, of a government with an independent and technical profile will not have changed anything.
Saying to understand the will of the citizens Dina Boluarte, the vice president until her inauguration on December 7, said in a televised message that night to have ” decided to take the initiative for an agreement (…) to advance the general elections to April 2024 after the crisis caused by Pedro Castillo’s failed attempt to dissolve Parliament.
Emergency state
Dina Boluarte also announced the declaration of a state of emergency in the areas most affected by protests. “ I gave instructions to regain control of the internal order and the fundamental rights of citizens “, she said.
Even if the number of demonstrators is not gigantic on the scale of Peru, the demonstrations which took place in Cajamarca, Arequipa, Tacna Huancayo, Cusco or Puno to demand the release of ousted President Pedro Castillo, the dissolution of Congress and the organization of new general elections have often been violent.
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The bulk of the clashes took place in rural areas, where supporters of Castillo, an indigenous teacher from the Andes, are concentrated. Two people died in the small town of Andahuaylas, between Ayacucho and Cusco, where protesters invaded and damaged the facilities of an airfield used by the armed forces. It would be two teenagers aged 15 and 18, reports our correspondent in the region, Eric Samson.
About thirty injured, including police officers, are also to be deplored, while roads remain blocked, especially in Ica. In addition, a general strike is announced for next Thursday on the part of unions of teachers, drivers and peasants.
In Lima, the capital, between 1,000 and 2,000 supporters of Pedro Castillo demonstrated before being dispersed with tear gas. They were in front of the Congress where, moreover, two pro and anti-Castillo deputies fought with their fists.