Lima, Peru.- The president of Peru, Dina Boluarte, gave a message to the nation this Friday amid violent protests in various regions of the country, which have left more than 40 dead.
The president apologized for the deaths in the demonstrations of the last month, but also urged Peruvians to reject violence.
“I apologize for this situation and for what has not been done to avoid tragic events. But, just as I apologize, as president I ask that we reject violence. Peruvians are peaceful, we are a people of solidarity who have fought face obstacles and adversity to get ahead,” he said.
Likewise, Boluarte asked that the acts of violence in the marches be investigated and ruled out that he is going to resign from office. “Some voices that come from the violent and radicals ask for my resignation, inciting the population to chaos, disorder and destruction, I tell them, in a responsible manner: ‘I am not going to resign.’ My commitment is with Peru and not with that tiny group that is making the country bleed,” he said.
The Peruvian president also responded to the regional governor of Puno, Richard Hancco Soncco, who reportedly declared her persona non grata. “A high-level commission has been in Puno and the authorities themselves tell them that they cannot receive them. Mr. Governor, how do you intend to meet the needs of your peoples? […] we must work without revenge, above ideologies,” he added.
Case against Boluarte
This Tuesday, the Prosecutor’s Office ordered to initiate a preliminary investigation against Boluarte for crimes of genocide, homicide and serious injuries in the protests.
Likewise, members of his cabinet will be investigated, such as the president of the Council of Ministers, Alberto Otárola; the Minister of the Interior, Víctor Rojas, and the Minister of Defense, Jorge Chávez. They are joined by Pedro Ángulo, as former President of the Council of Ministers, and César Cervantes, as former Minister of the Interior.
These protests that began in December had a truce for Christmas and New Year and resumed in January. The demonstrators demand the resignation of Boluarte, the closure of Congress, the advancement of elections for this year, the release of deposed President Pedro Castillo and the call for a constituent assembly.
Since the beginning of the anti-government demonstrations, on December 7, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has documented a total of 477 protest actions, of which, in 68 cases, serious acts of violence occurred. Of the latter, the agency recorded 21 clashes between protesters and the public force.
As a result of these actions, the IACHR learned of 47 fatalities, including seven adolescents. In addition, the Commission documented at least 650 injured civilians and 290 members of the security forces. “The IACHR expresses its firm condemnation of all types of violence,” said the rapporteur for Peru, Stuardo Ralón, at a press conference this Friday.
