Death Toll From Peru Unrest Rises to 23, Reports Say

Supporters of former President Pedro Castillo launch firecrackers at riot police during a protest near the Congress in Lima on December 12, 2022MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The death toll from a wave of unrest that swept Peru this month climbed to 23 over the weekend after protesters angered by the president’s ouster refused to back down, local media reported. The regional health authority in Ayacucho department, southeast of the capital Lima, said on Saturday that the number of people killed in clashes with the armed forces rose to nine. This took the national total past 20, according to press. A nationwide state of emergency was declared on Wednesday after the removal and jailing of President Pedro Castillo on December 7 prompted demonstrations across the country. Thousands of troops were brought into the streets to quell the unrest, leading to bloody clashes. © AFP 2022 / ERNESTO BENAVIDESSupporters of former President Pedro Castillo clash with riot police during a demonstration demanding his release and the closure of the Peruvian Congress in Lima, on December 11, 2022. Supporters of former President Pedro Castillo clash with riot police during a demonstration demanding his release and the closure of the Peruvian Congress in Lima, on December 11, 2022. The parliament voted to ouster Castillo after he tried to dissolve it over a third impeachment attempt. His deputy, Dina Boluarte, was declared president on the promise of holding a snap election in 2024. Demonstrators are demanding that she step down.

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