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A general increase in wages and the reduction of the basic food basket are the slogans that are sustained. Seven people died in the context of the protests in recent days, some in the midst of clashes and others when they were run over while picketing or, in one case, because they could not reach a hospital.
The blockades are against the background of an outburst of popular anger – especially from the transport sector and agricultural producers – over rising costs, which have soared since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Peru is facing its highest rate of inflation in a quarter century. The president, Pedro Castillo, has struggled to find solutions. On Monday he declared a state of emergency and a curfew in Lima and the port of El Callao to try to quell dissent, but was challenged.
by thousands of people and had to backtrack.
The government cut fuel taxes and increased the minimum wage by 10% from May 1, while also proposing to exempt essential foods from VAT. However, it failed to quell the protests.
Castillo, who was a farmer and teacher, finds himself in a very precarious political situation.
His approval ratings have fallen to 19%, an all-time low according to a Datum poll released yesterday. He recently survived a second impeachment attempt in less than a year in office.
Clashes between protesters and police were particularly harsh in Lima and
in El Callao. The last fatal victim was Yhoni Quinto Contreras, who died after being hit by “a stray bullet in the head.”
Meanwhile, in Huancayo, Junín department, one of the areas where the protests are most intense, Castillo presided over a cabinet meeting.
Source: Ambito
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