The nation will soon impose emergency measures following one fatality occurred and dozens of police officers were injured in widespread protests against President José Jerí, inaugurated only a few days prior.
Prime minister Ernesto Alvarez announced Thursday evening that the government would declare the state of emergency in Lima within hours and is preparing a package of measures to tackle rising insecurity.
Wednesday evening's demonstration – called by gen Z protesters, transport workers and civil groups – represented the most recent in ongoing protests targeting graft and increasing lawlessness, which led to the dramatic midnight ouster of former president Dina Boluarte last Thursday.
Mass gatherings formed nationwide, with hundreds clashing with police outside congress in Lima. Police fired teargas while some protesters hurled fireworks, rocks and burning objects.
"Everyone must go!" protesters chanted upon arriving at the legislature and tried to tear down metal barriers surrounding the structure.
Eduardo Mauricio Ruiz, aged 32, was killed during the protest and his death would be investigated, stated a human rights representative, from the national oversight institution. The nation's judicial authorities said Ruiz died after being shot.
The president conveyed sorrow regarding the fatality in a post on X, promising an impartial inquiry. He attributed the unrest to "criminal elements exploiting peaceful protests".
"The full force of the law will be on them," he said.
Following legislative discussions regarding the demonstrations, Jerí said he would ask congress for "authority to legislate on public safety issues".
The administration identified correctional system overhaul as a priority, but did not elaborate on what those powers would entail.
The newly appointed interior minister, Vicente Tiburcio told the unicameral congress that the government would push for comprehensive reform to the national police, noting significant injury counts among both officers and citizens and multiple individuals faced arrest.
The recent demonstrations served as an indicator for how Jerí's nascent presidency – concluding with upcoming electoral proceedings – could play out.
Jerí, 38 committed to prioritizing public safety but has faced a number of scandals, involving graft accusations and a now-shelved investigation for sexual assault. Jerí has denied wrongdoing in both cases and pledged full cooperation with oversight proceedings.
Boluarte's government encountered mass demonstrations after she assumed power in late 2022, leading to dozens of deaths and catastrophic approval rating decline, which oscillated between 2% and 4% in the days leading up to her ouster.
The legislative body previously led by the current president is almost equally unpopular, with a single-digit approval rating.
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