International
Peru: social movements demand president Dina Boluarte’s resignation and closure of Congress
February 23 |
Rondo delegations from the Cajamarca region and representatives of other grassroots social organizations in the northern and eastern macro-region of Peru will participate starting this Friday in the XIV Congress of the Regional Federation of Peasant and Indigenous Patrols of Cajamarca, which will demand the departure from the Government of President-designate Dina Boluarte and the closure of the Congress.
In a message disseminated through the social networks, a leader of the Rondas from the province of Jaen, Idelso Hernandez Llamo, said that the meeting, which will conclude on February 25, will become a front of struggle against the right-wing coup and the neoliberal continuity.
The bases will also demand the advancement of the general elections for 2023, the holding of a referendum from which a constituent assembly will be born to provide the country with a new Magna Carta, representative of the historical aspirations of the great majorities, and that those responsible for the assassinations of several dozens of Peruvians during the protests against Boluarte be brought to justice.
Hernandez Llamo explained that the event had been planned months ago, only that now it will coincide with “the national political crisis, where we are being battered by a civic-military dictatorship”, he said.
He said that for this reason, the first point will be an analysis of the current Peruvian situation and the determination of the next measures of regional and national struggle.
Among other issues, the expansion of mining companies, whose lucrative activity is a frequent cause of protests due to the theft of national wealth, environmental damage and disrespect for the space of the communities, will also be addressed.
He added that the agreements of the Congress will be presented before an assembly of organizations that will meet next March 4 in the province of Piura (north), a space to reach a consensus on actions of struggle of national character.
He pointed out that jurists will participate in the Congress to transmit to the bases knowledge about the Constituent Assembly and to promote the call for a referendum to make it concrete.
He expressed that the peasants and indigenous people know very well “the damages and poverty that this Constitution, drafted in dictatorship, has brought us”, he said in reference to the current Fundamental Law, of neoliberal cut and promulgated in 1993, during the mandate of Alberto Fujimori (1990-2000).
The rondero Congress was preceded by the congresses held in each province of Cajamarca and the election of their respective boards of directors, attended by the current president of the rondas in the region, Aladino Fernández Rubio, and other guests.
International
Petro expresses concern over fatal shooting during mass protests in Lima
Colombian President Gustavo Petro voiced his “concern” on Thursday over recent events in Peru, following the death of a protester reportedly shot during a massive demonstration in Lima against the government and Congress.
“I must express my concern over the events in Peru. A young artist has been killed in citizens’ protests,” Petro wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The Colombian leader also noted that in Peru, “a popularly elected president remains imprisoned without conviction,” referring to Pedro Castillo, who led the country from July 2021 to December 2022 until he was removed by Congress following a failed attempted coup.
“This is a blatant violation of the American Convention on Human Rights,” Petro stated, adding, “I hope Peru seeks social and political dialogue to legitimize its public institutions.”
On Wednesday, Peru experienced widespread protests in several cities, with the largest demonstration in Lima in recent years, driven by citizens’ concerns over corruption and public insecurity.
During the capital’s mobilization, the Ombudsman’s Office confirmed the death of Eduardo Ruiz, 32, and reported clashes that left over 100 injured, including 78 police officers and 24 protesters, as well as ten arrests.
The Attorney General’s Office, investigating Ruiz’s death “in the context of serious human rights violations,” confirmed that the protester was shot.
International
Peru’s interim president José Jerí refuses to resign after protester’s death in Lima
Peru’s interim president, José Jerí, stated Thursday that he has no intention of resigning from the post he assumed last Friday, following the removal of former president Dina Boluarte, despite growing unrest over the death of a protester during massive demonstrations in Lima on Wednesday.
“I will not resign,” Jerí declared outside the Government Palace in Lima, where he returned on foot after making a surprise visit to Congress headquarters alongside Prime Minister Ernesto Álvarez.
Earlier, after leaving the Legislative Palace, the president acknowledged that the country is going through “difficult times” and condemned what he described as “a small group attempting to impose an agenda different from the citizens’ expression of discontent.”
Jerí expressed condolences for the death of Eduardo Ruiz, a 32-year-old man who died during Wednesday’s protest against the government and Congress, amid growing anger over corruption and insecurity.
“We stand in solidarity with his family,” he said, without offering further details about the incident, which has sparked outrage among Peruvians.
The president also described the demonstrations as “a legitimate civic expression” that later turned violent due to “certain groups seeking to provoke chaos by exploiting a peaceful citizen movement.”
“In a state governed by the rule of law, the rights of both demonstrators and security forces must be protected,” Jerí emphasized, adding that “as a result of that situation, this unfortunate death occurred outside the main area where the protest was taking place.”
International
Mexican government prioritizes 191 communities after deadly floods
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed on Wednesday that the death toll from recent rains and floods across several central states has risen to 66, while the federal government has activated air bridges and prioritized assistance in 191 isolated communities.
“Unfortunately, 66 people have died, and 75 remain missing,” the president said during her morning press conference. She added that the official death toll will be updated later in a new report.
As of Tuesday, authorities had reported 64 fatalities. Sheinbaum also announced the creation of a public information center to centralize official data on the deceased, missing persons, damaged homes, and cut-off communities.
According to the president, the number of missing persons has decreased thanks to coordination with state authorities.
“Through calls to phone line 079, 103 people who had been reported missing have now been located,” she explained.
Priority Municipalities
The president noted that the federal government has classified 191 communities as ‘priority’, a designation based mainly on the percentage of homes affected.
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