Two protesters have been killed in a pro-democracy demonstration in Peru, the first death in nearly a week of unrest over the controversial removal of Martin Vizcarra from the presidency and his replacement by an unstable government, seen by many Peruvians as a coup.
Protests began on Tuesday with the demand for the resignation of former congressional speaker Manuel Marino, who was sworn in as president, and thousands of people lined the streets of Lima and dozens of other cities and towns.
Jorge Amores, manager of Guillermo Almenara Hospital in Lima, confirmed on Saturday that one of the dead had apparently been shot at close range with a police firearm.
“He had multiple wounds from the thorax, face and upper third of the neck, apparently from a buckshot.” Amoros confirmed.
The deceased also had another male There are reports of deaths from injuries sustained by the firearm.
Police detained at least 30 protesters on Saturday amid reports of heavy crackdowns on mostly peaceful protesters. The health ministry reports that more than 30 people are being treated for injuries.
Images of heavy protests on Saturday showed tanks, hundreds of riot police and teargas clouds being used against protesters, as well as helicopters flying overhead in downtown Lima.
“Irrational, degrading force was used in Lima. I demand that the president of the republic show his face and give an explanation to the country, “said Vertar Guterres, Peru’s human rights ombudsman.
Erica Guevara, Amnesty International’s US director, said: “We call for an end to repression and an investigation and punishment for all alleged human rights violations.”
Incumbent Congress Speaker Luis Valdaz called a multilateral meeting on Sunday morning to discuss Marino’s resignation. Twitter account Of the Peruvian Congress.
The news of the first death spread, known as spontaneous pot-banging protests Casserolazos And the slogan “Merino Out” can be seen in Lima. The sudden reshuffle of the popular president by a few well-known politicians with questionable track records, Merino, has caused a stir in the Peruvian capital, leading to several large demonstrations over more than a decade.
Leading presidential candidate George Forsyth demanded Merino’s immediate resignation and said in a tweet that his “Hands Stained with Blood”. He said Congress should elect a new president from among 19 MLAs who voted against the impeachment over allegations of unauthorized bribery by Viscarra. Of the 130 members of Congress, 105 voted Monday to remove the centrist leader.
The former president expressed grief over the death. “I regret the death of this illegitimate and illegitimate government,” Vizcara wrote.
“My condolences to the families of these civic heroes who exercised their rights to defend democracy and find a better country. The country will not blame the death of these brave young men. ”
