Protest-related death toll in Peru rises to 50

Lima, Jan 15 (EFE).- A man died Sunday in the Peruvian city of Moyobamba, in the jungle region of San Martín, due to a traffic accident linked to road blockades that are part of the ongoing anti-government protests, raising to 50 the total number of fatalities related to the protests since December.

The latest report released by the Ombudsman’s Office confirmed the death of a 39-year-old civilian “due to a traffic accident linked to road blockades.”

So far, 41 protesters have been killed in direct clashes with law enforcement, in addition to a policeman.

Another eight people have died due to events related to the roadblocks that, according to the latest official report, on Sunday affected 10 regions of the country, causing “interrupted traffic” at 99 points.

As detailed by the Ombudsman, on Sunday there were peaceful mobilizations in the provinces of Andahuaylas, Abancay and Chincheros, located in the southern region of Apurímac, as well as in the province of Hualgayoc, in the northern region of Cajamarca, and in Metropolitan Lima, in addition to the dozens of roadblocks and the stoppage of activities in other areas of the country.

With this new death, the cause of which has not been announced, the total number of protest-related fatalities has risen to 50 in Peru since the demonstrations began on Dec. 7 after former president Pedro Castillo was ousted.

Of this total, 22 deaths occurred in the past week, the majority last Monday, when 17 protesters lost their lives in clashes with law enforcement in the city of Juliaca, located in the southern region of Puno, bordering Bolivia.

The protesters are calling for the resignation of President Dina Boluarte, the closure of Congress and elections to be brought forward to this year, among other demands.

On Friday, Boluarte apologized if her government “made a mistake in finding peace and calm” and stated that she will not resign and will continue to “promote dialogue and social peace” to overcome the social and political crises in the country. EFE

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