Despite the nationwide riots, which have now killed at least 17 people, Congress rejects the bill for snap elections.
In Peru, two ministers have submitted their resignations because of the deadly protests against the ousting of left-wing President Pedro Castillo by the mostly conservative parliament.
Education Minister Patricia Correa and Culture Minister Jair Perez announced their decision on Twitter on Friday. “This morning I handed in my resignation. There is no justification for the deaths of compatriots,” Correa wrote. According to official figures, at least 17 people have died in the riots so far.
Angry demonstrators are demanding, among other things, the resignation of the new President Dina Boluarte and early elections. The government has declared a 30-day state of emergency, allowing soldiers to assist police in maintaining public safety.
Castillo was removed from office last week and taken into police custody. He is accused of wanting to dissolve parliament to avoid impeachment. Vice President Dina Boluarte was then sworn in as the new head of state. However, the protesters – many of them Castillo supporters – do not want to give her the full term until 2026. After the death of two teenagers during protests, Boluarte announced on Monday that he wanted to bring the elections forward by two years to April 2024. In view of the precarious security situation, Boluarte then indicated December 2023 as a possible new date.
Meanwhile, the Peruvian Congress on Friday (local time) rejected a bill for such early parliamentary and presidential elections. The bill did not get the support it needed, Congress said.
That should not defuse the situation in the Latin American country. The United Nations has expressed concern over reports of the deaths and detention of teenagers involved in the demonstrations. The Peruvian government said Foreign Minister Ana Cecila Gervasi will meet UN officials on Tuesday to discuss the situation.