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Protesters shout “Murderous Dina resign!” referring to Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, as they block the border in Desaguadero, Peru, near Bolivia, on Friday. Photo: AP

Peru declares state of emergency in Lima over protests against president

  • Measure, in force for 30 days, authorises army to intervene to maintain order and suspends constitutional rights including freedom of movement and assembly
  • Protests against President Dina Boluarte have claimed at least 42 lives in recent weeks, but she has refused to step down

Peru’s government late on Saturday declared a state of emergency in the capital Lima and three other regions due to protests against President Dina Boluarte that have claimed at least 42 lives in recent weeks.

The measure, in force for 30 days, authorises the army to intervene to maintain order and suspends several constitutional rights such as freedom of movement and assembly, according to a decree published in the official gazette.

Supporters of ousted president Pedro Castillo have marched and barricaded streets across the South American country since December, demanding new elections and the removal of Boluarte.

Peruvian President Dina Boluarte. Photo: AFP

On Friday night, she refused to step down, saying in a televised address: “My commitment is with Peru.”

The state of emergency covers Lima, the regions of Cusco and Puno, as well as the port of Callao, adjacent to the capital.

More than 100 protest roadblocks were in place across Peru on Saturday, mainly in the south, which has been the epicentre of the unrest, and also around Lima.

The airport in Cusco, gateway to the famed Machu Picchu site in southern Peru, reopened on Saturday after being shuttered over a flare-up in the protests.

Authorities on Thursday suspended operations as a preventive measure at the airport, which handles the second most air traffic in the country, after demonstrators tried to reach the transport hub.

In December, it suspended operations for five days.

Demonstrators hold a banner and flag that read “Let’s close the Congress, nest of rats” and “Freedom and restitution is the solution”, during a protest against Peru’s President Dina Boluarte on Friday. Photo: Reuters

The mass anti-government demonstrations first broke out in early December, after Castillo was ousted from office for attempting to dissolve Congress and rule by decree, seeking to prevent an impeachment vote against him.

Peru has faced political instability in recent years, with 60-year-old Boluarte being the sixth person to hold the presidency in five years.

Castillo, who was being investigated in several fraud cases during his tenure, has been remanded in custody for 18 months, charged with rebellion.

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