An anti-government protester holding a whip is blocked by police preventing the demonstration from reaching Congress where Peruvian President Dina Boluarte delivers her first annual speech, on Independence Day in Lima, Peru, Friday, July 28, 2023. The protesters want Boluarte to call for immediate presidential elections and demand justice for those killed in the protests after the removal of his predecessor Pedro Castillo. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia) Copyright 2023. The Associated Press. All rights reserved
Anti-government protesters try to get past the police who prevent them from reaching Congress where Peruvian President Dina Boluarte delivers her first annual speech, on Independence Day in Lima, Peru, Friday, July 28, 2023. The protesters want Boluarte to convene to immediate presidential elections and demand justice for those killed in the protests after the dismissal of his predecessor Pedro Castillo. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia) Copyright 2023. The Associated Press. All rights reserved
In the mass that is traditionally held before the presidential report before Parliament, the archbishop asked the president, her officials and the various congressmen who went to the cathedral of Lima to put themselves in the situation of the victims and analyze “our mistakes and the serious wrongs we have incurred, including the deaths that await justice and reparation.”
Peru also celebrates its national independence on Friday, in a day to which organizations called for new marches throughout the country to insist on the departure of Boluarte, who assumed power on December 7, hours after Congress dismissed the then President Pedro Castillo, who tried—unsuccessfully—to dissolve Parliament and who is now facing an investigation for rebellion and corruption in prison.
“Peru is a people harassed and dejected like sheep without a shepherd that feels the weight of darkness and confusion,” said the archbishop. “Let us appreciate the creative initiative of our people instead of despising it, as often happens between social, political and economic, and also cultural and even ecclesial leaders,” he added.
The protests, which began in December and lasted until February, left 67 dead. According to autopsies reviewed by The Associated Press, at least 30 of the 49 civilians died from gunshot wounds while protesting, clashing with police or simply walking near the crash zone, which for some organizations would have shown irregular use. of firearms against protesters.
Both Boluarte and the congressmen register high levels of rejection, according to various surveys. The president has 81.6% disapproval, while Parliament has 90% unpopularity, according to the most recent poll by the firm Instituto de Estudios Peruanos (IEP), carried out between July 15 and 19 among 1,206 Peruvians, with a margin of error of 2.8.
The same IEP survey indicated that 80% prefer early elections, while 15% believe that Boluarte remains in power. 58% feel identified with the anti-government protests, while 33% do not feel identified with the demonstrations.
The president has indicated that she will remain in power until July 28, 2026.
FOUNTAIN: Associated Press
