Peru Protesters March in Capital Against Government Restrictions Peru has seen a surge of protests against President Martín Vizcarra’s government and its new restrictions. Thousands of protesters from across the country have joined in the capital of Lima to express their grievances with the current administration. In what the public has described as the biggest antigovernment protest in the nation’s recent history, those in attendance have made claims alleging an unconstitutional abuse of power.

The Vizcarra administration has enacted a series of restrictive measures in recent weeks, ranging from the introduction of COVID-19 related curfews to new taxes, which protesters say are unhelpful and are punishing people. But the most controversial move is the President’s appointment of magistrate Manuel Navarro as the head of the nation’s Supreme Court, in what protesters say is an attempt to entrench his power.

With the influx of protesters, there has been a rising tide of violence in the capital. The violence has been condemned by the government, with President Vizcarra stating that, “Peaceful protests should be respected but any act of violence will not be tolerated. All of those guilty of acts of violence and destruction shall face the full rigors of the law.” Here, we breakdown the recent unrest unfolding in Peru, who is protesting and why, and the possible implications for Peru’s future.

Background to the Peru Protests

Peru has been struggling with the economic and political fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. President Vizcarra’s government has implemented various restrictions, such as cutting public sector salaries, increasing taxes, and imposing strict curfews. These government-imposed austerity measures have been met with increasing anger from the public, who feel as though the government is not doing enough to support them during this time.

The situation has been further exacerbated by President Vizcarra’s decision to appoint Manuel Navarro as the head of the Supreme Court. Navarro’s appointment has sparked ire and accusations of presidential power grabs during an already unstable period. The appointment sparked a wave of constitutional and legal challenges, leading to a further erosion of public confidence in the government.

The protester demographic

The protests have been attended by people from a broad range of demographics. There are students, retirees, small business owners, and civil society groups; largely driven by a shared desire for a change in leadership. One of the key differences between this protest and previous ones is the absence of a political leader; protesters are mobilizing online and around social media, with little visible leadership from political figures.

Various prominent figures from Peru’s civil society have spoken out in support of the protests, such as the former president, Alejandro Toledo. The Catholic Church has come out in support of the movement with the archbishop emeritus of Lima, Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani, expressing his support for President Vizcarra’s resignation.

The Causes of the Peru Protests

The Peruvian people have become increasingly frustrated with President Vizcarra’s government in recent months as he has been unable to address the economic crisis. Furthermore, the people of Peru have expressed outrage against the President’s decision to appoint Manuel Navarro as the head of the Supreme Court, which protesters view as an unacceptable power grab.

Public anger has also been compounded by Peru’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Citizens have been highly critical of the government’s response to the pandemic, particularly with regards to their strict implementation of coronavirus-related curfews, which have further damaged the economy, created economic hardship and put further stress on an already tense situation.

The International Response to the Peru Protests

The protests in Peru have gained the attention of international governments. Latin American countries, including Mexico and Argentina, have offered support to the protesters in Lima, echoing their own recent battle with inequality and political mismanagement. The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has reiterated his “appeal for peace and justice” in Peru and encouraged the Peruvian people to peacefully exercise their right to protest.

The Implications of the Peru Protests

The Peru protesters have achieved their demand of President Vizcarra’s resignation and former Prime Minister Francisco Sagasti has formally taken office. Rather than fight against the protests, the government chose to redirect its efforts towards the proposed reforms they are hoping to enact. The protests have highlighted the need for more effective government policies towards expanding economic opportunities and combating poverty.

The Peruvian protests have been a call for change, for the current administration to address economic inequality and poverty. The protesters have achieved success by forcing President Vizcarra’s resignation, which will likely be remembered as a monumental moment in the nation’s history. Peru is now at a critical juncture, and the question remains as to whether the new administration will be able to enact change in the face of ongoing economic challenges.