JAKARTA - Thousands of people took to the streets in the capital Peru, Lima, in peaceful protests against the new government and president, after weeks of bloody clashes sparked by the ouster of former President Pedro Castillo, which killed at least 42 people.
"Why are you turning your back on the people, there are so many deaths, for God's sake, stop this massacre," protester Olga Espejo, called on President Dina Bouarte, previously vice president Castillo, to resign.
"Get rid of Boiarte, they beat you," he said.
Protesters chanted "Dina Asesina!" (Dina was a murderer) as they carried cardboard coffins, photos of victims and anti-governmental slogans on street Lima, in the first mass protests in the capital since New Year.
The demonstration organized by the unions and leftist groups took place without incident. The clashes that began in early December marked the outbreak of the worst violence in Peru in more than 20 years.
While Thursday's protests are ongoing, Minister of Manpower Eduardo Garcia announced his resignation on Twitter, saying the country needed an apology for the death, urging the government to recognize that "the mistakes that have been made must be corrected."
Garcia said the situation could not wait until April 2024, as proposed by President Bouarte, two years earlier than needed.
Separately, Prime Minister Alberto Otarola said previously President Bouarte would not resign, citing constitutional requirements to consolidate succession, "not because he doesn't want to."
"Raising the presidency will open a very dangerous floodgate for anarchy and the wrong government," he explained.
It is known that Peru's top prosecutor's office on Tuesday launched an investigation into Bouarte and several ministers. On the same day, the Peru Congress - which vehemently opposed former left-wing leader Castillo - issued a vote of confidence in the new government.
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