Massive march against the new Merino government puts pressure on Peru

Under the slogan of “Peru woke up”, “Merino is not my President” or “this Congress does not represent me”, Thousands of people came out this Thursday to protest in different cities of Peru, against the dismissal of Martin Vizcarra and the assumption of Manuel Merino, as President in his capacity as head of Congress.

Three days after taking office, the president swore in his new cabinet on Thursday in a ceremony that was advanced so that it did not coincide with the protests. TO Antero Flores-Aráoz, who was sworn in as Prime Minister on Wednesday alone, joined Abel salinas in health; Jose Arista in the Ministry of Economy and Finance and Fernando D’Alessio in the Education portfolio, among others.

For analysts, it is a conservative cabinet, made up of 11 men 7 women, career professionals in their specialties. In addition to some former ministers and former vice ministers of the governments of Alejandro Toledo (2001-2006), Alan García (1985-1990 and 2006-2011) and Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (2016-2018) linked to conservative political sectors.

We want to reiterate to the population the call for calm and national unity, we all want a better Peru, with transparency, honesty and without maneuvering under the table, this transitional government will be at the level of all Peruvians.

Manuel Merino, President of Peru

On the other hand, Vizcarra went to the prosecution on Thursday to testify for the cause of alleged corruption that earned him his dismissal. “Legality is in question and legitimacy, given by the people, we are seeing in the streets,” said the former president, who has 60% approval. A court will decide this Friday on the prosecution’s request to prohibit Vizcarra from leaving the country for 18 months while the investigations progress.

The political crisis in which Peru finds itself has had consequences on the economy. The Peruvian currency fell 0.50%, placing himself again at a minimum of 18 years. This, despite the measures that the Central Bank has taken to contain the fall.

Since the day of Vizcarra’s impeachment, hundreds of people have protested against the decision of the opposition-dominated Congress, with several clashes with the police who launched tear gas canisters and shots to disperse them. The police detained dozens of people, most of them young, who mobilized by beating pans, with flags and banners with writings against Congress.

The Great National March, In which more than 60 groups participated, it began this Thursday at 5:00 p.m. and had as its epicenter the Plaza San Martín, in the center of Lima. In the previous days, the demonstrations spread to affluent lime neighborhoods such as Miraflores.

One of the slogans of the demonstration was the creation of a Constituent Assembly to change the Magna Carta. Many citizens believe that Congress has used the text for their personal gain.

The Peruvian analyst, Carlos Melendez, noted that it is the first demonstration with a “essence of citizen outrage after the March of the 4 Suyos “. That was a popular mobilization carried out in Peru in July 2000, led by Alejandro Toledo, along with various social movements, anti-Fujimori sectors, for the accusation of fraud that surrounded the third consecutive election of Alberto Fujimori as President. As on this occasion, the meeting point was Plaza San Martín.