Violence in Peru: international criticism after the massive protests in Lima and the more than 60 deaths

From different parts of Peru Thousands of demonstrators gathered in the capital on January 20 in a protest —called the March to Lima— to demand the resignation of the president Dina Boluarte and express the weariness for the lack of representation of the State. The marches began peacefully at 4:00 pm, although clashes between demonstrators and police soon began. That same night, the Marcionelli House an emblematic building in the historic center of Lima, ended up in flames: a terrible metaphor for the political and social situation in the country.

The death toll since the protests against the government began, in just under three weeks, has reached 60, according to the health authorities.

A day later, the police broke into the National University of San Marcos the dean of America, destroying doors, with an armored car, to detain more than 200 people, among whom were elderly, Quechua-speaking adults, without the presence of the Ombudsman’s Office or the Prosecutor’s Office.

From abroad, international authorities have joined the call to stop the violence and police repression.

The High Representative for Foreign Policy of the European Union (EU), Josep Borrell condemned the “acts of violence” and the “disproportionate” use of force in Peru during the protests that began in December.

“Peaceful social protests that respect the rule of law are legitimate in a democratic society. The EU reiterates its condemnation of the numerous acts of violence and also the disproportionate use of force by the security forces,” he said in a statement.

Similarly, the Argentine government expressed its regret over the crisis that Peru is going through, after the clashes in various parts of the country. The presidential spokesperson Gabriela Cerrutti expressed its concern in the framework of the VII Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac).

“The presidents of this new Latin America that is in convulsion are coming. We are concerned and closely following what is happening in Peru,” Cerruti said in statements to Radio El Destape.

The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, who usually comments on the political and social situation in the country, asked the Organization of American States (OAS) to review the situation of protesters in Peru.

“Raid universities. Shout Death to intelligence! The Permanent Council of the OAS must be summoned to examine the case of Peru!” wrote the Colombian president.

For his part, he Pope Francisco He called for the violence to cease in Peru and called on the authorities to take the “way of dialogue” and respect human rights.

“I join the Peruvian bishops in saying: no to violence, wherever it comes from, no more deaths,” said the Supreme Pontiff. “Violence snuffs out the hope of a just solution to the problems. I encourage all parties involved to take the path of dialogue between brothers in the same nation in full respect for human rights and the rule of law.”

The US embassy in Peru He also spoke after what happened in Peru. “We have been following the situation in recent hours with attention and concern. It is essential that law enforcement respect human rights, the right to protest, and protect citizens. The protest that expresses legitimate demands and concerns must be peaceful. We call for calm and to avoid actions that could generate violence,” the US embassy in Peru said in a statement.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Christian Salazar Volkman He said that he requested information from the Peruvian government on what it is doing to prevent the deaths and injuries in the anti-government protests.

Salazar he met with the president of the Council of Ministers of Peru, Alberto Otárola one day after the national day of protests in the capital. The special envoy told local journalists that they regret “the deaths and injuries that have occurred” and have “requested information on what the Government is doing to prevent this from happening again, that the cases be investigated.”

Source-larepublica.pe