Voice of America
06 Feb 2023, 16:07 GMT+10
Lima, Peru - The government of Peru on Sunday expanded and prolonged a state of emergency to deal with a two-month-old revolt against President Dina Boluarte that has claimed 48 lives in clashes between protesters and security forces.
Seven southern Peruvian regions - Madre de Dios, Cusco, Puno, Apurimac, Arequipa, Moquegua and Tacna - will fall under the measure, which will remain in place for 60 days, according to a notice in the government gazette.
On January 13, the government had extended by 30 days a state of emergency for Lima, El Callao, Cusco and Puno.
With the new extension not covering the capital Lima, nor El Callao - which hosts the country's main airport and maritime terminals - the state of emergency there will expire in mid-February.
Turmoil Threatens Financial Stability Peru Long Took for Granted
The measure authorizes the military to back up police actions to restore public order. It also suspends constitutional rights such as freedom of movement and assembly.
The decree provides for an 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew for 10 days in the department of Puno, the epicenter of the anti-government demonstrations, where 18 civilians and a policeman died in clashes on January 9.
Peru Protesters, Fired Up by Deaths, March on Lima Demanding Change
Peru has been embroiled in a political crisis with near-daily demonstrations since December 7, when then-President Pedro Castillo was arrested after attempting to dissolve Congress and rule by decree.
Roadblocks erected by protesters have caused shortages of food, fuel and other basic commodities in several regions of the Andean nation.
Demonstrators are demanding the dissolution of Congress, a new constitution, and the resignation of Boluarte, who as vice president took over with Castillo gone.
Several attempts to pass a bill through Peru's legislature to allow early elections have failed, the latest on Friday, which blocked any further debate on the topic until August.
This was followed on Saturday by violent street protests in central Lima.
The demonstrations are driven by poor southern, Indigenous Peruvians who perceive Castillo, who is also from humble origins and has Indigenous roots, as an ally in their fight against poverty, racism and inequality.
Get a daily dose of Caribbean Herald news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Caribbean Herald.
More InformationLONDON, England: During a Bloomberg conference held in London this week, Luke Ellis, CEO of hedge fund Man Group, said ...
NEW YORK, New York - Wall Street jumped on Friday, although gains were modest after bank shares in Europe came ...
LOS ANGELES, California: Some 30,000 education workers in Los Angeles, backed by teachers, went on a three-day strike, canceling school ...
LONDON, England: Despite rising air fares, a potential global economic recession and risks of gridlock at some airports in Europe ...
WASHINGTON D.C.: The US Commerce Department has proposed new laws aimed at preventing China and other countries deemed of concern ...
NEW YORK, New York - As concerns over the banking sector eased, U.S. stocks moved moderately higher on Thursday, but ...
Weston McKennie and Ricardo Pepi each scored twice to lead the U.S. men's national team to a 7-1 victory over ...
New York City FC will try to win their third straight game when they visit the Houston Dynamo on Saturday. ...
Austin FC will be on the hunt for some consistency on the front end when they host the winless Colorado ...
Minnesota United, one of five teams in Major League Soccer without a loss, will be without seven starters when its ...
U.S. President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced an immigration deal Friday to stop asylum-seekers from crossing ...
UConn was unceremoniously sent home in the first round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament, so the Huskies were flying well ...