On February 9th, thousands of Peruvians took to the streets to protest against President Dina Boluarte, calling for her resignation, new elections, and requesting a referendum on a constituent assembly to change the constitution. The protests were largely peaceful, however there were reports of violence and clashes with law enforcement in some regions. As reported on the same day by the Italian Press Agency Ansa, in Juliaca protesters blocked the roads, and thousands of them tried to gain control over the Inca Manco Capac airport. According to the NGO Ojo Publico, 23 civilians were injured, out of which nine are currently in the hospital in a precarious state.

The protests were launched to commemorate the death of the 19 people who were killed during the marches of January 9^th, when the police opened fire on the anti-government dissenters. These strikes have been going on since the removal occurred on the 7^th of December of President Pedro Castillo. Since the beginning of the foments, at least 60 people have died, while 1000 have been severely injured. According to an article published by Peoples Dispatch on February 11^th, former presidential candidate Veronika Mendoza tweeted in support of the protesters. Moreover, she said that “police are shooting in the streets of Challhuanca, Apurímac. Mrs. Dina Boluarte, this is happening in your land, they are shooting at you countrymen! Stop this shooting!” Even the mayor of Juliaca, Oscar Caceres, told The Guardian that the city is destroying itself, calling out on the government to resign.

At the centre of these marches there’s a cry for political renewal after the failed attempt of a coup on behalf of Castillo, who was blocked and impeached by his ministers and consequently arrested. However, the majority of the public is on the side of the former President, and therefore it has not recognized the new leader, requesting new general elections. The Peruvian government has been unstable for the past six years, changing president seven times. As we can read in an article of the Guardian published on February 8^th, the mayor of Juliaca, Oscar Caceres, believes that people have lost faith in the government, which is seen only as a corrupt and inefficient institution. Moreover, Protesters denounced the government’s lack of concrete actions to address Peru’s economic and social crisis, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, many criticized the government’s economic policies, accusing it of not doing enough to stimulate growth and employment. To reduce this gap between the powerful forces of the capital and the rest of the population, the best solution is to once again call for new elections. The idea of a constitutional revision could also be exploited as an effective solution to show citizens that an effort to transform the system is being made.

For now, Boluarte has decided not to stand down from office but requested Congress to anticipate the current year’s new elections, to neutralize the intensifying crisis. At this time, it is unclear whether the demonstrations will continue in the coming days or lead to significant changes in government policy. However, it appears clear that many Peruvians are dissatisfied with the current situation and are calling for change. Hopefully, the government will realize that this change is necessary and move towards it.