Thousands demonstrate in Peru against President Trump’s hate prophets

Thousands of protesters have called for Peru’s head of state Pedro Castillo to be overthrown in Lima on Saturday.

“I came to this march to get rid of this corrupt man. Castillo must go, that’s what this march is for, to oust him,” one of the protesters, Nancy Huarcaya, said Saturday (local time). At the same time, supporters of the president gathered in Lima’s central San Martín square.

During the protest march through the center of the capital, police officers used tear gas to keep opponents of Castillo away from parliament and the government palace.

“We represent millions of Peruvians here. Peru can’t take it anymore. We are on the brink of collapse,” said another protester. Similar demonstrations took place in other cities in the country, which political groups and citizens’ initiatives had also called for.

“You will have me until the last day of my term in office, because my people have decided that,” Castillo said at the government palace on Saturday. The Organization of American States (OAS) is meeting in Lima in two weeks to get a sense of the political crisis on the ground.

Castillo took over the presidency 13 months ago. He is now under six investigations and a constitutional complaint against him on charges of corruption, involvement in organized crime and obstruction of justice. He will enjoy immunity during his term of office, which normally ends in July 2026. It can still be determined against him. (saw/sda/afp)