At least 17 dead in Peru as protesters try to storm airport
- Death toll is the highest in a single day since President Dina Boluarte took office on December 7
- Peru has been gripped by violent protests over the ousting and arrest of ex-president Pedro Castillo
At least 17 people died on Monday in Peru as protesters trying to storm an airport clashed with security forces.
It was the deadliest day so far of protests demanding early elections and the release of jailed former president Pedro Castillo.
This new chapter of bloodshed took place in the southeastern city of Juliaca, in the Puno region, an official in the local ombudsman’s office said.
The previous death toll of 12 rose as five people among the 40 or so wounded in the clashes died of their injuries, the official said.
Like others have for the past month, these protesters were demanding the departure of President Dina Boluarte, who took over after the ousting and arrest of then president Castillo on December 7.
Castillo’s removal after he tried to dissolve congress and start ruling by decree – he faced several corruption probes – has triggered weeks of clashes nationwide in this country beset by years of political instability.