Peru protesters demand resignation of graft-accused President Castillo
Police fire teargas to disperse thousands of people calling for Castillo to resign over allegations of corruption
06 November 2022 - 22:18
byMarco Aquino
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People carry a fake coffin during a protest against the government of Peru's President Pedro Castillo, in Lima, Peru, November 5 2022. Picture: SEBASTIAN CASTANEDA/REUTERS
Lima — Thousands of people took to the streets across Peru on Saturday to demand the resignation of embattled President Pedro Castillo, a leftist whose government is under investigation for corruption.
Carrying the Andean nation’s flag and signs with anti-government slogans, protesters marched towards the opposition-dominated Congress in the capital Lima.
Castillo has called those who oppose his government "reactionaries" and "the enemies of people".
Police with helmets and plastic shields launched several teargas canisters in an attempt to disperse the crowds. There were no immediate reports of injuries.
Castillo, who took office in July last year, has already survived two impeachment attempts. Opposition legislators are seeking a fresh trial against the president even though Congress recognised it would not gather sufficient votes.
"We see a government involved in corruption and Congress doesn’t react," said Lucas Ghersi, a conservative lawyer who is one of the organisers of the march, called Peru Reacts.
In October, Peru’s attorney-general filed a constitutional complaint against Castillo with Congress that the right-wing opposition hopes will end in his removal from office.
Discontent has been rising in Peru. "I come for my children, for my grandchildren, because this government is becoming hell," said Maria del Pilar Blancas.
"They want us to become one more Venezuela," she said, referring to the South American neighbour that went into an economic freefall.
Similar protests were held in other cities across the country, including Arequipa, Chiclayo, Cusco and Trujillo, according to reports and images broadcast by local television channel Canal N.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Peru protesters demand resignation of graft-accused President Castillo
Police fire teargas to disperse thousands of people calling for Castillo to resign over allegations of corruption
Lima — Thousands of people took to the streets across Peru on Saturday to demand the resignation of embattled President Pedro Castillo, a leftist whose government is under investigation for corruption.
Carrying the Andean nation’s flag and signs with anti-government slogans, protesters marched towards the opposition-dominated Congress in the capital Lima.
Castillo has called those who oppose his government "reactionaries" and "the enemies of people".
Police with helmets and plastic shields launched several teargas canisters in an attempt to disperse the crowds. There were no immediate reports of injuries.
Castillo, who took office in July last year, has already survived two impeachment attempts. Opposition legislators are seeking a fresh trial against the president even though Congress recognised it would not gather sufficient votes.
"We see a government involved in corruption and Congress doesn’t react," said Lucas Ghersi, a conservative lawyer who is one of the organisers of the march, called Peru Reacts.
In October, Peru’s attorney-general filed a constitutional complaint against Castillo with Congress that the right-wing opposition hopes will end in his removal from office.
Discontent has been rising in Peru. "I come for my children, for my grandchildren, because this government is becoming hell," said Maria del Pilar Blancas.
"They want us to become one more Venezuela," she said, referring to the South American neighbour that went into an economic freefall.
Similar protests were held in other cities across the country, including Arequipa, Chiclayo, Cusco and Trujillo, according to reports and images broadcast by local television channel Canal N.
Reuters
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