Trying to "take Lima", Peru police clash with protesters. Two Airports in Peru suspend Operation

1 year ago
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1. Firefighters have been working to put out a raging inferno that broke out in a building near a protest site in Peru’s capital Lima where police fired tear gas as thousands of protesters poured into the city to demand the removal of President Dina Boluarte.

Demonstrators gathered on Thursday in Lima’s historic downtown area where scuffles broke out with the security forces who battled to stop the protesters from reaching key government buildings, including Congress, as well as business and residential districts of the capital.
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2. The Peruvian Ministry of Transport and Communications said on Thursday that the operation of the airports in the cities of Cusco and Arequipa was suspended amid ongoing protests in the country.

On Thursday, a nationwide protest took place in Peru demanding the resignation of President Dina Boluarte and the dissolution of Congress. Mass demonstrations were held in all major cities of the country. According to media reports, clashes between demonstrators and police began in the afternoon. Police armored personnel carriers were brought to the streets of the Peruvian capital of Lima.

"As a precautionary measure, the Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco is temporarily closed. The measure is designed to protect people and air operations," the ministry said on Twitter.

A similar notification from the ministry was issued in relation to the international airport in Arequipa.

According to Peruvian radio RPP, groups of vandals tried to seize the buildings of these airports. The report noted that the criminals in Cusco managed to break into the runways, and in Arequipa - into the terminal building.

At the same time, protesters in the city of Juliaca also tried to seize the local airport, but the police dispersed them with tear gas, the Republica newspaper reported.

Interior Minister Vicente Romero said during a televised cabinet meeting that 22 police officers had been hurt in the clashes nationwide. A protester died and 16 others were injured.

Romero expressed condolences to the bereaved family but added that police had to use force against violent demonstrators. He promised that the prosecutor's office and rights watchdogs would make sure that police did not overstep their bounds and respect protesters' rights.
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Related:
More deaths during protests in southern Peru, the 'taking of Lima' and the national strike:
[https://youtu.be/_XmCZhDuEsY]
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Peru declares a state of Emergency in capital, in regions of Cusco, Puno and in port of Callao:
[https://youtu.be/V1G8vRMelos]
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In Cusco, Peruvians on indefinite strike, airport closed and train to Machu Picchu suspended:
[https://youtu.be/et3leCLK-eo]
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Juliaca, Peru: At least 17 deaths in deadliest day of protests in Puno Region:
[https://youtu.be/ASgFE2_qO1k]
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Peru: protesters demand the resignation of President Boluarte, trying to approach Parliament:
[https://youtu.be/PPfchCOpr1o]

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