Peruvian President Dina Boluarte and her chain of command could be criminally responsible for the deaths and injuries that occurred at the beginning of her presidency in 2022, according to an Amnesty International report released on Thursday.
Anti-government protests in Peru began in December 2022 following the removal and arrest of former president Pedro Castillo and the subsequent ascension of Boluarte. The protests took place in various areas of Peru, such as Puno, where protesters demanded Boluarte’s resignation and early elections. After the events that took place in Puno, Peru’s Ombudsman’s Office stated:
The right to protest is a fundamental right that must be exercised peacefully, without affecting the rights of other citizens. We urge the population to avoid acts of violence and to respect the regulations established by public authorities within their competencies. Occupying airports, assaulting others—including law enforcement officers—blocking ambulances, and any form of attack on public or private property constitute serious offenses that do not fall under the right to protest. We remind members of the Armed Forces and the National Police of Peru of their duty to comply with current regulations and international standards on the use of force.
Some individuals exercised their rights peacefully by conveying their messages against the government through banners in public spaces. However, there were also those who engaged in violent acts, such as the incident in Arequipa where protesters set fire to a dairy factory despite the presence of workers inside.
Additionally, it has also been reported that the police engaged in violent repression, resulting in the deaths of several individuals, including children and minors. The report establishes that between December 2022 and March 2023, this situation led to the deaths of 50 civilians and one police officer, as well as more than 1,400 people being injured. Furthermore, although President Boluarte swore under oath before the Public Prosecutor’s Office that she had no direct contact with the commanders, the report indicates that she met several times with the commanders of the Armed Forces and the police. These meetings could have been opportunities for her to order a change in the tactics being used at the time, but she did not do so according to the report.
The Executive Branch has addressed the report made by Amnesty International through Gustavo Adrianzén, the President of the Council of Ministers, stating that they completely reject it because the state does not respond to non-governmental organizations.
