At least 14 people died this Monday in Puno, southeastern Peru, after being injured during protests calling for the departure of President Dina Boluarte, early elections and the closure of Congress.
The Peruvian Ombudsman has reported the deaths after clashes in the vicinity of the Juliaca airport. “We ask law enforcement to make a legal, necessary and proportional use of force and we urge the Peruvian Prosecutor’s Office to carry out a speedy investigation to clarify the facts,” the agency reported.
Congressmen from the department of Puno issued a joint statement to demand Boluarte’s resignation after clashes in the region over the weekend, which left some thirty people injured, including several journalists.
The protests in Peru began after the arrest of former leftist president Pedro Castillo and his accusation of rebellion when trying to close Congress.