Castillo was Peru’s fifth president in as many years, though like many of his predecessors, his time in office was dogged by accusations of incompetence and corruption. As a political outsider, his inexperience appealed to many voters who were fed up with the graft and instability that has characterized Peru’s highest office. The former president, born to a peasant family in the northern highlands of Cajamarca, represented change to many rural and Indigenous Peruvians who have long felt ignored by wealthier, whiter politicians in Lima. Peru’s protests were sparked by the impeachment and arrest of Castillo, a consequence of his ill-fated attempt to dissolve the government and rule by decree. Peru’s failure to consolidate its post-conflict transitional justice agenda will likely exacerbate the challenge of holding authorities accountable for human rights abuses during the crisis. As a result, the ongoing crisis is reopening the wounds of the civil war, which never fully healed even with the work of a truth and reconciliation commission. In lockstep with powerful right-wing lawmakers, the leftist Boluarte has blamed the mounting death toll on protesters, who she claims are influenced by criminal actors seeking political gain.īoluarte’s hawkish posture - despite appalling reports of police brutality - is reminiscent of the Peruvian state’s mano dura tactics against perceived enemies during Peru’s internal armed conflict in the 1980s and ‘90s when security forces acted with impunity. Meanwhile, Boluarte’s stance toward the demonstrators has become increasingly combative.
Protesters have dug in their heels, carrying out roadblocks and continuing peaceful marches that have often ended in clashes with security forces. Boluarte, for her part, has refused to stand down, though she has called on Congress to move forward the planned April 2024 elections to December 2023. Protesters are demanding fresh elections and the resignation of President Dina Boluarte, Castillo’s constitutional successor. Since the ouster of then-President Pedro Castillo on December 7, at least 58 Peruvians have died, most at the hands of police, whom human rights groups have accused of using excessive force.
Peru is experiencing its worst political violence in years.
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