Death toll in Peru rises due to unrest
2023.01.10 13:54
Death toll in Peru rises due to unrest
By Ray Johnson
Budrigannews.com – After 17 more people were killed in the most violent day of protests since they began in December over the removal of former President Pedro Castillo, a three-day mourning period began on Tuesday in southern Peru.
The period of mourning in Puno’s southeast occurred just as Prime Minister Alberto Otarola was scheduled to appear before the Congress, which was dominated by the opposition, to seek a confidence vote in his cabinet—a constitutional requirement for leading a new government.
In a day in which at least 68 civilians and 75 police officers were injured, the local ombudsman stated that organized attackers funded by “dark” money were to blame for the unrest. Otarola expressed regret for the deaths on Monday night.
So far, social protests have claimed the lives of 39 people across the country.
On Monday, authorities urged prosecutors to begin investigating the responsible parties.
According to the Interior Ministry of Peru, “unknown persons” attacked a police vehicle early on Tuesday in the Puno-area city of Juliaca, leaving one officer with multiple head injuries.
Jorge Angulo, the head of the operational command of the national police, confirmed hours later that one of the officers in the vehicle had passed away.
Angulo told television station Canal N, “At this moment, an autopsy is being performed to fully identify the form and circumstances in which he was injured, practically burned.” Demonstrators are still demanding Castillo’s release, the closure of Congress, and constitutional amendments.
After attempting to shut down Congress, Castillo is being investigated for “rebellion,” a charge he denies, and is currently serving 18 months of pre-trial detention.
Puno businesses were looted on Monday night, according to images from local media, and the Juliaca airport in the area remained closed on Tuesday.
In a similar vein, as a precautionary measure, Ayacucho airport operations remained suspended.
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has announced that it will examine the situation in Peru this week from Wednesday to Friday.
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