Political and social problems have left a mark on the country between December 2022 and February 2023. Huge protests took place because of the destitution and incarceration of President Pedro Castillo and were violently repressed. The public protests stopped these last few weeks, leaving behind a lasting mark on the most modest populations of the Andean world. The political situation is still not settled. During the protests, the current president, Dina Boluarte [Vice-president of Castillo who succeeded him], was asked to step down, but instead promised anticipated elections in 2023.
Recent reports from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch accused the security forces of committing serious abuse of power, including the use of forbidden weapons. According to them, 49 civilians died during these clashes and more than a thousand were reported to be injured. Amnesty International also reported a « racial bias » because the use of these weapons and deadly violence were exclusively present in regions outside of Lima, where the population is mainly made of autochthones and speaks Quechua. Several victim’s families even filed a complaint against the power in place to demand justice.
This crisis showed the weakness of Peruvian democracy all over again and revealed the profound social cleavage of the country. For Yovana, the Picol school director:
«We should keep on working to change this situation, education is the most important means for change and to get a better society.»
June 2023
Families of the victims gathering in Juliaca, April 2023 (source : LeMonde.fr)