Large anti-govt protests took place in Lima and other departments across country.

Amid simmering political tensions, notably since former President Pedro Castillo’s arrest in Dec 2022, tens of thousands 19 July marched in capital Lima and other departments, while others blocked highways around provincial towns, namely in Puno and Cusco; protests were largely peaceful, though riot police in Lima fired tear gas at protesters attempting to enter Congress carrying rocks and bottles. Protesters were calling for President Boluarte’s resignation, as well as closure of Congress, early general elections, work on a new constitution and Castillo’s release, signalling widespread distrust with country’s main democratic institutions. Fresh protests took place 29 July, which marks Independence Day, with police briefly clashing with protesters and attacking at least three journalists. During the Independence Day speech in Lima, Boluarte called for a great “national reconciliation” and urged Congress to delegate legislative powers to executive for 120 days to tackle crime with greater efficiency.

Protests rejecting Boluarte’s take-over intensified across country, killing scores and prompting widespread concern nationally and internationally; new president resisted calls to resign.

Renewed protests left dozens dead as security forces clashed with protesters. Protests, which first erupted in Dec 2022 after former President Castillo’s impeachment, 4 Jan resumed after two-week pause in southern Puno, Cusco, Apurimac and Arequipa regions, and central Junin department. Protesters continued to demand immediate elections, closure of Congress, new Constitution and removal of President Dina Boluarte, who was sworn in 7 Dec following Castillo’s removal. Violence 9 Jan escalated in Puno’s Juliaca city, where clashes between protesters and police left 19 dead. Massive protests in capital Lima 19-20 Jan once more descended into violence, leaving one dead and dozens more injured as police used tear gas to push back protesters. Police 21 Jan arrested well over 200 demonstrators who had stormed university in Lima day before. As of 30 Jan, 58 people have died during protests.

Boluarte refused to resign amid concerns over mounting violence. Prosecutor’s office 10 Jan opened investigation against Boluarte and members of her cabinet for alleged crimes of “genocide, aggravated homicide and serious injuries”. UN same day released statement voicing concern for “rising violence”, while EU 21 Jan condemned security forces’ “disproportionate use of force”. Boluarte 13 Jan apologised for violence but insisted she would not resign nor call constitutional assembly. Govt next day extended 30-day state of emergency in Lima and several other regions for another month. Boluarte 24 Jan called for “truce” and blamed “radicals” for violence, 27 Jan urged Congress to bring tentative April 2024 elections forward to Oct 2023; Congress next day rejected proposal but is set to vote again.

Relations with Honduras and Bolivia grew increasingly strained. Lima 9 Jan banned former Bolivian President Evo Morales and eight Bolivian citizens from entering Peru, accusing them of interfering in Peru’s internal affairs. Morales, who has denounced Castillo’s arrest as illegal, same day said ban aimed to “distract from “human rights abuses”. Foreign ministry 26 Jan recalled its ambassador to Honduras after Honduran President Xiomara Castro 24 Jan condemned Boluarte’s “coup d'état”.

Failed attempt to dissolve Congress ended brief presidency of Pedro Castillo, prompting countrywide protests that turned deadly amid security crackdown.

Castillo impeached after failed attempt to close Congress and rule by decree. Congress 1 Dec approved motion to initiate impeachment proceedings against leftist President Castillo, third impeachment attempt since he took office in June 2021, and summoned Castillo to respond to accusations of constitutional breaches on 7 Dec. Political crisis came to a head as Castillo 7 Dec attempted to dissolve Congress and replace it with an “exceptional emergency government”. Political elites denounced “attempted coup” and Congress later that day voted to remove Castillo from power on grounds of “moral incapacity” and swore in VP Dina Boluarte as president. Shortly after, authorities detained Castillo on “rebellion” and “conspiracy” charges and transferred him to Barbadillo prison in capital Lima. Supreme Court 15 Dec extended Castillo’s pre-trial detention to 18 months.

Protests erupted across country, turning deadly amid violent security response. Castillo supporters 7 Dec took to streets in Lima and southern Arequipa cities, demanding dissolution of Congress and immediate elections. In following days, protests spread to other regions, notably Apurimac and Ayacucho; demonstrators blocked highways and forced several airports to close, prompting govt 14 Dec to declare 30-day state of emergency. Ombudsman 16 Dec denounced security forces’ use of firearms and tear gas as they clamped down on protests. As of 18 Dec, clashes between protesters and security forces had left at least 27 people killed and around 650 injured. In attempt to ease tensions, Boluarte 16 Dec proposed bringing 2026 elections forward to Dec 2023; Congress initially rejected proposal, but 20 Dec approved tentative plan for April 2024 polls.

Govt expelled Mexico’s ambassador. Mexico, Bolivia, Colombia and Argentina 12 Dec released joint statement condemning “undemocratic harassment” of Castillo since he took office and urging new govt to respect “the will of the citizens pronounced at the polls”. Mexican President Lopez Obrador next day reaffirmed his support for Castillo while Mexican FM Marcelo Ebrard 20 Dec announced Mexico had granted Castillo’s family asylum; govt same day expelled Mexican ambassador, citing “unacceptable interference in internal affairs”.

Tight presidential runoff vote fuelled electoral crisis as right-wing supporters rejected results, alleging fraud, and some called for military to step in. Following 6 June presidential polls, right-wing Popular Force presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori next day alleged wide-scale fraud and irregularities; 9 June demanded electoral authorities nullify 200,000 votes. Organization of American States 11 June said its electoral observation mission had “not detected serious irregularities”. Fujimori supporters 12 and 15 June protested in capital Lima calling for annulment of contested ballots. National Office of Electoral Processes 15 June declared vote count complete, said left-wing Free Peru party candidate and political newcomer Pedro Castillo had won 50.12% of votes – about 44,000 more than Fujimori; Castillo same day claimed victory. Hundreds of retired officers mid-June sent letter to leaders of armed forces demanding they do not accept Castillo as new president and supporting Fujimori’s claims of fraud; President Sagasti next day condemned letter, said it was being investigated by Attorney General’s Office. Supporters of both candidates 19 and 26 June protested in Lima, with Fujimori’s followers denouncing fraud and Castillo’s supporters calling on electoral authorities to confirm his election. One of four magistrates in National Jury of Elections (JNE), responsible for resolving all legal challenges and officially declaring winner of presidential vote, 23 June quit amid disagreements with other JNE officials over requests to nullify votes; replacement sworn in 26 June.

Maoist rebels staged deadly attack ahead of 6 June presidential election. Suspected remnants of Maoist revolutionary group Shining Path 23 May killed at least 16 people in San Miguel de Elne village, Valle de los Ríos Apurímac, Ene y Mantaro (VRAEM) region known for coca production; pamphlets warning against voting in 6 June presidential election reportedly found on site after attack. Interim President Sagasti next day said he had ordered deployment of armed forces and police in area, promised there will be “no impunity” for those behind massacre.  

Demands for repeal of decades-old agrarian law fuelled mass protests across country, leaving several dead. Agriculture workers late Nov-early Dec initiated protests demanding higher wages; as protests spread northward from country’s south, cutting off transit on highway critical to food supply for capital Lima, police 3 Dec intervened to disperse protesters in Virú town, La Libertad department, leaving one dead. Hundreds of workers from metallurgical plant in La Oroya town, Junín department, 4 Dec joined protesters and blockaded highway in La Oroya district, demanding govt turn over management of mining complex. Congress same day repealed agrarian law but 19-20 Dec failed to reach consensus on law’s replacement, specifically clause on higher base salaries, prompting agricultural workers to renew protests 21 Dec. Congress 29 Dec passed agricultural reform bill, raising base salaries of agricultural workers by 30%. Workers’ unions, who had been demanding increase in daily wage from $11 to $18, immediately decried bill as insufficient. Clashes next day broke out between protesters and police in Chao district, La Libertad department, reportedly leaving two protesters killed, while another individual died in vehicle stranded by protest. Meanwhile, earlier in month, National Police Commander General Orlando Velasco and two other generals 1 Dec resigned in protest at police reform program launched by President Sagasti following heavy-handed response to Nov protests against impeachment of former President Martín Vizcarra; Interior Minister Cluber Aliaga 7 Dec resigned, claiming that use of force by police in Nov was justified.

President’s impeachment sparked deadly protest, largest in decades. Congress 9 Nov voted to remove President Martín Vizcarra from office following allegations of corruption during his time as governor of Moquegua region (2011-2014); next day swore in Congress head Manuel Merino as interim president amid protests, as thousands took to streets in capital Lima, disputing legality of procedure and claiming Vizcarra’s impeachment was manoeuvre by MPs who could be affected by his anti-corruption reforms; riot police used tear gas to keep protesters away from Congress building. In following days, protests spread to other cities, notably Trujillo and Cusco. Thousands 14 Nov gathered again in Lima in largest demonstration in decades; clashes between police and protesters left two protesters dead and dozens injured. Merino resigned 15 Nov. Congress next day elected centrist congressman Francisco Sagasti as new interim president. Sagasti 23 Nov announced creation of commission to reform police, named new police chief and removed 18 senior police officers suspected of using excessive force in recent protests.

Amid highest COVID-19 fatality rate globally and plunging economy, series of protests and incidents turned deadly. After group of indigenous people armed with spears 2 Aug entered pipeline station of state-owned Petroperú oil company in Marañón region to demand medical care for COVID-19 patients, Petroperú next day said protesters occupying site forced them to halt operations; company 17 Aug said protesters agreed to leave station after it committed to implementing social development projects in area. Around 70 armed indigenous people 2 Aug entered PetroTal Corp oil production field in Loreto region to voice demands for economic and medical support; attack led to violent confrontation with police that left three indigenous people killed and 17 injured on both sides. After govt 12 Aug strengthened COVID-19 restrictions, police 22 Aug raided clandestine party at nightclub in capital Lima; ensuing stampede left at least 13 dead. National statistics agency 20 Aug said GDP had dropped by 30.2% in second quarter of 2020 compared to same period last year. Govt 31 Aug reported 28,944 deaths from COVID-19; country now registers highest virus-related fatality rate per capita globally.

Govt early June sent new regulations to Congress on investment in energy, mining and oil; regulations seek to reduce fines and speed up registration processes; civil society and social organisations worried about lack of environmental protection, while investors considered proposal positive for economy. President Humala reshuffled cabinet appointing new interior and foreign affairs ministers.

Security forces 10 April arrested 28 people suspected of links to Shining Path militant group, issued 6 arrest warrants against Peruvians living abroad, in operation involving over 300 police and army personnel. Detainees include 2 attorneys representing jailed Shining Path leader and rebel group’s political wing Movement for Amnesty and Fundamental Rights (MOVADEF). President Humala’s cousin also detained.