At least 17 people were killed in clashes with police in southern Peru, the country’s human rights office said, the deadliest day so far of protests demanding early elections and the release of jailed former president Pedro Castillo.
According to international media reports, the clashes began on Monday in Juliaca, a city near the banks of Lake Titicaca in southern Peru’s Puno region, and left 68 people injured.
Demonstrations against new President Dina Boluarte resumed last Wednesday in Juliaca, near the border with Bolivia after having subsided during the Christmas break.
Castillo was ousted and arrested on December 7 after attempting to dissolve Congress and rule by decree in an effort to avoid impeachment over allegations of corruption.
His removal from office sparked days of nationwide violent protests which have left more than 40 people dead, according to media reports.
President Boluarte issued a statement saying she had already proposed to bring elections forward in Congress.
“It is not clear what you are asking for,” she said. “The only thing that was in my power was the advancement of elections, and I have already proposed it.”
At least 17 dead in anti-government protests in Peru
