The protests in Ayacucho already leave nine dead, where one of the injured on Thursday died in the last hours and the total number of deaths in all of Peru rose to 23.
One of the people injured in the serious clashes that took place last Thursday in the southern region of Ayacucho died this Saturday, bringing the fatalities in that department to 9, and to 23 the total number of deaths in all of Peru since the beginning, a week ago, of the protests and demonstrations against the Government of Dina Boluarte.
“It is reported that, despite all the efforts of the health personnel and doctors of the Ayacucho Regional Hospital, one of the injured died in the early hours of today,” the Ayacucho Regional Health Directorate (Direa) reported in a statement. .
The agency added that 61 injuries are also reported in its jurisdiction after the violent clashes that occurred between protesters who tried to take over the Ayacucho airport and members of the security forces that were guarding it.
Ayacucho, the epicenter of the protests
Ayacucho has been, together with the neighboring region of Apurímac, the epicenter of the protests unleashed after the failed coup attempt by Pedro Castillo and his subsequent dismissal by Congress, on December 7, after which he swore in as ruler the until then Vice President Boluarte.
On Friday, at least three protesters died in clashes with the Police in the Pichanaki district, in the central region of Junín.
Those who died in Ayacucho and Junín were added to another six reported in Apurímac, three in La Libertad, one in Arequipa and another in Cuzco.
While the deaths in Apurímac occurred last weekend, those in Ayacucho were reported this Thursday, in the midst of the protests that intensified to demand the closure of Congress, the resignation of Boluarte, advancement of elections and the calling of a constituent Assembly.
State of emergency
The Government decreed this Wednesday the state of national emergency for 30 days to control the acts of vandalism and violence presented in the demonstrations and on Thursday it decreed a curfew in 15 provinces of eight departments.
The Peruvian president ratified this Saturday the constitutional legitimacy of her government, while the security forces assured that they would gradually retake control inside the country.
“I want to convey my condolences to the families who have lost their relatives in these times where unnecessary violence has been generated for the entire Peru,” he said.
Boluarte insists on advancing elections
Boluarte also demanded that Congress approve the Executive’s proposal to advance the general elections and emphasized that he will not resign from office.
“These are not peaceful marches, they are not social demands,” he said before adding that the Armed Forces “have taken to the streets” “to be able to care” for citizens and public and private property.
This Saturday no major incidents were reported in the country, although in Ayacucho there were peaceful demonstrations as part of the funerals of the people who died in that Peruvian region.