Peru Declares State of Emergency Over Protests

Facts

• Peru’s government on Saturday declared a state of emergency in the capital, Lima, and three other adjacent regions, Cusco and Puno, and the port of Callao, due to protests against President Dina Boluarte that have taken at least 42 lives in recent weeks.
• The state of emergency, which gives the army the right to intervene to maintain order, and suspends several constitutional rights, including freedom of movement and assembly, will be in effect for 30 days.
• Ousted president Pedro Castillo's supporters have marched and put up roadblocks on highways across the South American country since December, with the epicenter in the south and surrounding Lima. They've demanded new elections and the removal of Boluarte, who took office a month ago.
• On Friday, Boluarte addressed the nation and ruled out resigning. She said she was sorry about the fatalities and would continue promoting peace and dialogue.
• The protests first broke out in early December after Castillo was ousted from office for attempting to dissolve Congress so he could reportedly rule by decree in an attempt to prevent an impeachment vote against him.
• The protests are supported by the largest coalition of labor unions — the largest representing indigenous communities from the Peruvian Amazon — and many organizations representing impoverished farmers.

Sources: Hindu, Al Jazeera, Voa, Guardian, Le Monde, and New York Times.

Narratives

• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by WSWS. Through its brutal actions, the Boluarte regime forfeited any legitimacy to lead the country. Even curfews cannot keep impoverished Peruvians from standing up for Castillo and democracy. The fury is justified since it was allegedly the US that orchestrated the coup against Castillo to secure its corporate and geopolitical interests. It is time for US imperialism and its increasingly repressive Peruvian puppet government to accept reality and return Peru to the Peruvians.
• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by El País. Boluarte has the right to continue Castillo's remaining term after his failed coup attempt. However, Boluarte must now ensure that the security forces' crackdown does not escalate further beyond what it has rightfully done to quell the vandalism and looting. She must address the public’s discontent and stabilize the situation.

Predictions