22 People Died As A Result Of Clashes During Protests, Peru-President Boarte Supports Full Of Investigation

Protests in Peru. (Wikimedia Commons/Giancarlo Granza)

JAKARTA - Peru President Dina Boutte said he would provide prosecutors with all necessary resources, so they could investigate more than two dozen deaths during the protests that rocked Peru following the overthrow of its predecessor.

An estimated 22 people died in clashes during the protests and six others died in traffic accidents related to road blockades, according to government data.

"We will provide all possible resources to the prosecutor's office to investigate the death," President Bouarte said Thursday.

Boarte took over the presidency earlier this month after left-wing president Pedro Castillo was ousted in an impeachment vote, hours after trying to illegally dissolve Congress. He was previously Castillo's vice president.

Castillo was arrested and remains in pretrial detention while being investigated on charges of rebellion and conspiracy. His dismissal led to days of violent protests in Peru.

In response, President Boarte's government implemented a state of emergency that gave special authority to security forces, as well as limited freedom such as the right to gather.

Human rights groups accuse authorities of using firearms at protesters and dropping smoke bombs from helicopters. Meanwhile, the army said protesters had used homemade weapons and explosives.

"Police and soldiers took to the streets to protect lives and calm the fears of 33 million people living in Peru," President Bouarte said, but added that death would not escape punishment.

"We will not allow impunity, they need to be investigated," said President Bouarte.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Victor Rojas said at a conference with President Bouarte he received information that protests could re-occur, particularly in the south, on January 4 after being stopped during the Christmas holidays.

He said human rights would be protected if more protests occurred. "Nobody wants to repeat the deaths that occurred in the first round of conflict," he said.