“The National Police of Peru, with the support of the Armed Forces, will unblock the roads of the National Road Network that are declared in a state of emergency”said a joint statement from the Defense and Interior ministries.
On Thursday the authorities counted 88 pickets that blocked the passage on highways from eight of the 25 Peruvian regions.
These blockades generate shortages of basic products and liquefied petroleum gas, the main fuel for vehicles and domestic use, but they also complicate medical services and the transport of medicines in various areas of the country.
“To date, ten innocent Peruvians have lost their lives as a consequence of this illegal act, among them an unborn child whose mother could not receive timely medical attention in La Libertad, a newborn in Puno and a child just 1 year old in Cusco who could not be treated either due to roadblocks.” , the statement specified.
The ministries indicated that the right to protest “does not authorize the obstruction of roadsfar from it can be superimposed on the right to life of those people who need to be transferred to receive delicate treatments such as cancer or who need oxygen and medicine to reach their regions to continue living “.
As can be seen in the long lines in front of the service stations and complaints from residents of the Andean areas and the Peruvian jungle, the roadblocks that began to multiply on January 4 have also caused shortages and an increase in the prices of basic food and fuel, thus affecting the poorest populations in the country.
Peru is the scene of massive demonstrations that call for the resignation of President Dina Boluartenamed after the dismissal and arrest of former leftist president Pedro Castillo on December 7 for having tried to dissolve Parliament.
Source: Ambito
