A representative of the Peruvian ombudsman told AFP the deadly clashes broke out on Monday when protesters attempted to storm the airport of the town of Juliaca, in the tourist region of Puco in the southeastern part of the country. Protesters had already tried to occupy the airport last week.
Peru has been gripped by nationwide unrest since the impeachment and arrest of leftist President Pedro Castillo on December 7. The demonstrators protest against Castillo’s powerlessness and demand the resignation of his successor Dina Boluarte. They also demand that parliament be dissolved and that new elections be held immediately. More than 20 people have been killed during the protests.
The Puno region, bordering Bolivia, has been a central scene of the protests. A general strike was declared there last Wednesday.
(SDA)