The police repressed a group of protesters who had gathered around the Lima Congress in the early hours of this Thursday to request its closure,a kind of advance to “the taking of Lima”, the mobilization called by social, union and political organizations in support of President Pedro Castillo.

The march, known as “the taking of Lima” or “10 N”, according to publications broadcast on networks, urges the government to attend to popular demands. In addition to request that Pedro Castillo fulfill his mandate until 2026They also demand a new Constitution and the closure of Congress.

The appearance at 5 in the morning of the near 300 people surprised the Police,since the march was not scheduled to begin until around 3:00 p.m.

The demonstrators arrived with white flags to demand the closure of Congress, coffins made of cardboard with photos of congressmen from opposition parties, such as Popular Renovation, Popular Force and Popular Action.

The protesters reached the outskirts of Parliament, where a police cordon blocked their way and some skirmishes broke out, including the use of tear gas.

The Police intervened to evict groups that occupied one of the lanes of the central Abancay avenue and was also seen an increase in riot control agents,which closed the passage through the streets closest to the Legislative Palace.

The Congress, which dominates the political opposition, decided on Wednesday to suspend the plenary session scheduled for this Thursday due to possible “acts of violence” during the demonstration, according to the senior Legislative officer, José Cevasco, in a statement.

He explained that the Parliament was warned by the Police that in the mobilization “there would be protest actions with acts of violence against public and private property, due to the possible infiltration of radical and extremist groups within the protesters”.

A police report, quoted by the newspaper The Republicspeaks of a “possible infiltration of radical and extremist groups within the demonstrators, which could cause a social outburst and disturbance of public order”.

The president, Pedro Castillo, for his part, indicated that his government is respectful of the protests, but that they should be carried out “with respect.”

“This government is totally respectful, not only so that the population, the citizens demonstrate, mobilize, but with all due respect. It is also necessary to distinguish between certain infiltrators in the mobilizations that they make the authority and the leaders look bad. The mobilization, the right to protest and strike, has to be a constitutional right”, affirmed the president.

No one is going to scare me because I don’t owe anyone; the town put me,no mafia businessman put me. I do not owe any company in Peru or anyone “, he completed, according to the newspaper Trade.

A march in response to a protest against Castillo

The march in favor of Pedro Castillo will take over the streets of the Peruvian capital just five days after a mobilization against the president that was called “Peru Reacts.”

Shouting “Castillo out, out!”, thousands of demonstrators marched through the streets of Lima this Saturday to demand the resignation of the president,who is under an unprecedented framework of six investigations for alleged corruption.

Opponents of the Castillo government toured the streets of the historic center up to 100 meters from the Congress where dozens of riot police prevented the protesters from reaching Parliament and the government palace with tear gas.

“I come to the march to get rid of that corrupt man. Castillo must go out, that’s what this march is for to get him out,” Nancy Huarcaya, who was wearing a Peruvian national team shirt, told AFP.

The demonstrators belonging to political groups and civil associations carried signs that read “Castillo out”, “Castillo corrupt” and “Vacancia ya”.

Castillo, who has been president since July 2021 for a five-year term, has had to face two impeachment attempts by Congress -dominated by the opposition-, and respond to six tax investigations for alleged corruption of him and his circle. closest relative and politician.

On October 11, the Prosecutor’s Office formally denounced Castillo before Parliament for alleged corruption, a process that can lead to impeachment and the suspension of the president.

Castillo, a 53-year-old rural teacher, denies that his family committed crimes and claims to be the victim of a campaign to remove him from power.

Source: Télam, AFP and EFE