One dead, dozens injured as Peru’s new president faces widespread protests

LIMA – At least one person has died and dozens of police officers were injured in widespread protests overnight in Peru against President Jose Jeri, who assumed power just days ago, the state ombudsman’s office said on Oct 16.

The government will declare a state of emergency in Lima and is preparing a package of measures to tackle rising insecurity, Prime Minister Ernesto Alvarez said late on Oct 16 in a press conference.

The protest late on Oct 15, called by young Gen Z protesters, transport workers and civil groups, was the latest in a series of demonstrations against corruption and rising crime, which led to the dramatic midnight ouster of former president Dina Boluarte on Oct 9.

Police chief says officer carried out shooting

Thousands of protesters amassed around the country, with hundreds clashing with police outside Congress in Lima. Police fired tear gas while some protesters hurled fireworks, rocks and burning objects.

“Everyone must go!” protesters chanted when they reached Congress. They tried to tear down metal barriers protecting the building, leading to clashes.

A 32-year-old man, Mr Eduardo Mauricio Ruiz, died during the protest and his death will be investigated, said Mr Fernando Losada, a representative from the country’s ombudsman’s office. 

Peru’s prosecutor’s office said Mr Ruiz died after being shot.

Later on Oct 16, the head of Peru’s national police, Mr Oscar Arriola, told reporters that Mr Luis Magallanes, a member of the force, had been physically assaulted and carried out the shooting.

Mr Arriola added that Mr Magallanes was being treated in hospital and had been removed from his duties.

Mr Jeri expressed regret over Mr Ruiz’s death in a post on X, saying the death would be “objectively” investigated. 

He blamed violence on “delinquents who infiltrated a peaceful demonstration to sow chaos”.

“The full force of the law will be on them,” he wrote.

A group of left-wing lawmakers on Oct 16 filed a motion to oust Mr Jerí. The motion was backed by just 20 out of 130 Peruvian lawmakers.

New interior minister promises police reform

Mr Jeri said one focus would be prison reform, but did not elaborate on what those powers would entail.

Speaking to Congress soon after, newly-appointed Interior Minister Vicente Tiburcio said the government would push for comprehensive reform to the national police, adding that 89 police and 22 civilians had been injured during the protest and 11 people were detained.

The Interior Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the police reform or Mr Jeri’s request for expanded legislative powers.

Test for new president

The Oct 15 protests were a bellwether for how Mr Jeri’s nascent presidency, which ends in July 2026 due to scheduled elections, could play out.

Mr Jeri, 38, has promised to make crime his top priority, but has faced a number of scandals himself, including corruption allegations and a now-shelved investigation for sexual assault.

Mr Jeri has denied wrongdoing in both cases and expressed willingness to cooperate with any corruption investigation.

Ms Boluarte faced widespread protests after she assumed power in late 2022, leading to dozens of deaths and a plunge in her popularity levels, which oscillated between 2 per cent and 4 per cent in the days leading up to her ouster.

Congress, which was headed by Mr Jeri before he became president, is almost equally unpopular with a single-digit approval rating.
REUTERS, BLOOMBERG