Security forces stand guard as a demonstrator waves Peru鈥檚 flag during a protest to demand the dissolution of Congress and democratic elections, rejecting Dina Boluarte as Peru鈥檚 president, after the ouster of leftist President Pedro Castillo, in Lima, Peru, January 12, 2023. REUTERS/Alessandro Cinque
LIMA 鈥� Thousands took to the streets of Peru鈥檚 capital Lima on Thursday in a peaceful protest against the new government and president, after weeks of bloody clashes triggered by the ousting of former President Pedro Castillo left at least 42 dead.
鈥淲hy are you turning your back on the people, there are so many deaths, for God鈥檚 sake, stop this massacre,鈥� said protester Olga Espejo, calling on President Dina Boluarte, previously Castillo鈥檚 vice president, to resign.
鈥淢s. Boluarte, they are using you,鈥� she said.
Protesters shouted 鈥淒ina asesina!鈥� (Dina is a murderer) as they carried cardboard coffins, photos of the victims, and anti-government slogans down the streets of Lima in the capital鈥檚 first mass protest since New Year.
The march, organized by trade unions and leftist groups, took place without incident. The clashes that started in early December mark Peru鈥檚 worst outbreak of violence in more than 20 years.
READ: Peru protests continue as mourners prepare to bury dead
While Thursday鈥檚 protest was underway, Labor Minister Eduardo Garcia announced his resignation on Twitter, saying the country needs an apology for the deaths and urged the government to recognize that 鈥渕istakes have been made that must be corrected.鈥�
Garcia said the situation could not wait until April 2024, when elections have been proposed, two years earlier than required.
The crisis has touched tourist hub Cusco, which again closed its airport on Thursday, and the country鈥檚 key mining sector, which saw a large copper mine struck by attackers and a tin mine shuttered in solidarity for the dead.
READ: Peruvians clamor anew for president鈥檚 removal
Prime Minister Alberto Otarola said earlier on Thursday that Boluarte would not resign, citing constitutional requirements to consolidate the succession, 鈥渘ot because she does not want to.鈥�
鈥淟eaving the presidency would open a very dangerous floodgate for anarchy and misrule,鈥� he said.
Peru鈥檚 top prosecutor鈥檚 office on Tuesday launched an inquiry against Boluarte and some top ministers. The same day, Peru鈥檚 Congress 鈥� which fiercely opposed leftist former leader Castillo 鈥� passed a vote of confidence in the new government.
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