At least 19 people, including a police officer and a journalist, were injured during weekend protests against Peruvian President Dina Boluarte and Congress, according to authorities and human rights organizations.
Hundreds of demonstrators marched through central Lima under a heavy police presence.
Clashes broke out as some protesters, mainly youths, threw stones, firebombs, and fireworks at police, who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets, AFP reported.
The National Human Rights Coordinator (CNDDHH), a coalition of rights groups, said 18 civilians were hurt in the violence.
A police officer also sustained first-degree burns from a Molotov cocktail, according to the National Police, who shared images of the unrest on social media.
The CNDDHH criticized police conduct, accusing them of using excessive force. “We call on the police to respect the right to protest. There was no justification for firing large amounts of tear gas, much less for attacking people,” said Mar Pérez, a CNDDHH lawyer.
Protests continued into Sunday night, with another march involving transport workers and the Gen Z collective dispersed by police using tear gas.
Demonstrators voiced outrage over corruption and rising crime.
“We’re marching against corruption, for life, and against the crime that is killing us every day,” said 28-year-old engineer Adriana Flores.
Public discontent has surged since the Boluarte administration passed a controversial law on September 5, mandating pension fund contributions from young workers despite high job insecurity and an informal employment rate exceeding 70%.
President Boluarte’s approval ratings have plummeted as her term approaches its end on July 28, 2026.
Peru’s conservative-dominated Congress is also facing growing public distrust, amid allegations of corruption and failure to address rising violence linked to organized crime.
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