Peru continues to be wracked by chaos and violence as protesters, especially in the southern part of the country who demand the release of the jailed former President Pedro Castillo, are blockading highways and committing acts of vandalism. Two days ago, on Dec. 12, they invaded and shut down the airport in Arequipa, the country’s third largest, and threatened to take over the Cusco airport, causing authorities to close it down. In Lima, protesters tried to storm the national Congress building. Violence has taken the lives of at least seven people, most of them young teens.
Castillo, meanwhile, had said he would be released midday today, but a judge rejected his appeal for release. Late last night, prosecutors filed a request for 18 months of pre-trial detention and are reportedly seeking a three-year jail sentence.
Today, the government of interim President Dina Boluarte declared a 30-day nationwide state of emergency which authorizes the National Police and the armed forces to deploy to restore public order and suspends citizens’ right to gather and move freely around the country. Police are allowed to search people’s homes without a warrant and a curfew may be imposed, according to Defense Minister Alberto Otarola. Boluarte is said to be considering moving up elections to December 2023 instead of April 2024 as she previously announced.
