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Bloomberg
Bloomberg
John Quigley

Peruvians Take to the Streets to Protest Ouster of President

Thousands of Peruvians took part in nationwide marches Thursday night amid growing public indignation over the ouster of President Martin Vizcarra by the opposition in congress.

People took to the streets in many parts of Lima and other cities in what political experts said were the country’s biggest demonstrations in two decades.

The South American nation was plunged into chaos Monday when opposition lawmakers impeached Vizcarra over corruption allegations just five months from a general election. He was replaced by the head of congress, Manuel Merino, on an interim basis.

Vizcarra’s surprise ouster sent asset prices tumbling amid investor concern the upheaval could hurt the economy’s recovery from a deep recession. The Organization of American States has called on the country’s constitutional court to decide whether the impeachment was legal.

Not Since Fujimori

“There are difficult days ahead for the interim government,” Carlos Melendez, a Lima-based political analyst, said by phone. “The government doesn’t have control of the street, and it’s losing on the international front.”

Peru hasn’t seen demonstrations on this scale since the protests against the government of Alberto Fujimori in 2000, he added.

Read More: Why Peru Is Always Just One Step Away from Chaos: QuickTake

In the city of Chimbote in the north of Peru, demonstrators marched with a giant Peruvian flag and carried placards with slogans repudiating congress and the government, according to video broadcast by the Canal N network. One women held up a sign saying, “This isn’t for Vizcarra, this is for my country.” Another sign said “Merino isn’t my president.”

While most of the marches were peaceful, there were violent clashes in downtown Lima, as a group of demonstrators attempted to reach congress. Young men hurled rocks at police and set off fireworks, and were dispersed with tear gas.

The Ombudsman’s office said police used tear gas and fired buckshots against groups protesting peacefully. Lawmaker Luis Roel Alva called on police to cease “unjustified aggression” against marchers. Two men are being treated in hospital with gunshot wounds, RPP radio reported.

Interior Minister Gaston Rodriguez denied police fired buckshots. The government is respectful of people’s right to protest, he told the same radio station.

The United Nations’ local office called for an independent investigation into the events, saying it was concerned about the police force’s use of firearms and the detention of adolescent protesters.

Smaller marches have taken place daily since Vizcarra’s ouster though Thursday’s demonstrations were more organized. They are “spontaneous so there is a danger they will dwindle, which is what the authorities expect. But it seems very unlikely at this stage,” said Gino Costa, a lawmaker who voted against impeachment, during an online event Friday.

Local-currency government bonds fell for a sixth consecutive day while the sol weakened 0.2% and is nearing a record low.

Merino swore in his cabinet on Thursday, appointing an experienced technocrat to the post of finance minister. The president pledged to avoid any “traumatic changes” and to respect the electoral timetable.

Read More: Impeached, Jailed, Wanted: President Is a Dangerous Job in Peru

“The government may have a bit more margin for survival” if it can manage the demonstrations without violent repression, and can allay fears that education reform and the corruption fight are in jeopardy, Melendez said.

Vizcarra was deposed following allegations he received bribes in exchange for helping construction companies win contracts when he was a regional governor from 2011 to 2014. He denies any wrongdoing.

Prosecutors began an investigation in October and his lawyer said at a hearing Friday he wouldn’t challenge their request for an 18-month travel ban.

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.

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