At least two people were killed in clashes with the police, Saturday November 14 in Lima, during a new day of protests in the streets against the accession to the presidency of Manuel Merino after the dismissal of Martin Vizcarra.
The death of a 25-year-old protester was announced by civil servant Alberto Huerta, from the Office of the Ombudsman, a public body responsible for ensuring respect for human rights in Peru. His body arrived at Almenara hospital, he said, adding that “The victim had lead wounds on his face and scalp, according to the doctor”. Later in the evening, the health services announced the death of a 24-year-old man who was shot in the chest. Hospitals in Lima have also identified thirteen injured.
Responding to the violent crackdown on protests, Peruvian Congress leader Luis Valdez called for resignation “Immediate” of the new president, who took office on Tuesday, and called an emergency meeting to proceed with the presidential succession.
A dozen of President Merino’s 18 ministers, including the interior minister, announced their resignation on Saturday evening after the police crackdown, according to local media.
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Demonstrations since Tuesday
Peru saw another day of demonstrations on Saturday against the accession to power of Manuel Merino, who became president on Tuesday. The Peruvian Parliament voted on Monday to dismiss the head of state, for “Moral incapacity”, Mr. Vizcarra being accused of receiving bribes while he was governor in 2014.
His ouster and the assumption of the presidency of Mr. Merino, a 59-year-old center-right agricultural engineer until then at the head of parliament, have since Tuesday led to protests in Lima and other cities.
Tear gas fired by helicopter
On Saturday, thousands of demonstrators, mostly young people under the age of 25, took to the streets again in various cities to demand the resignation of Mr. Merino and reject what they see as a coup. Parliamentary state.
The biggest march brought together thousands of people in Lima, who converged on San Martin Square. The police again used tear gas, including from helicopters, to disperse demonstrators who threatened to march on the seat of Parliament.
The young people carried signs on which one could read: “Merino, you are not my president”, “Merino impostor”, “Peru woke up”. A group approached Mr. Merino’s house, east of Lima, to demonstrate to the sound of pans and drums.
Pressure from demonstrators
Prime Minister Antero Flores Araoz, a 78-year-old conservative, ruled out the president’s stepping down, under pressure from the protests: “He didn’t consider stepping aside, because millions of Peruvians support him. Unfortunately, they stay at home. I wouldn’t invite them out ”, did he declare.
The president of the Episcopal Conference urged the government to engage in dialogue and respect the right to demonstrate: “It is essential to listen to and take into account the cries and clamor of the population to regain confidence, tranquility and social peace”Archbishop of Trujillo Miguel Cabrejos said in a statement.
