Trucks are parked on the Pan-American highway, one of the key highways essential for food supplies in Peru's largest cities, during protests sparked by rising fuel and fertilizer costs, due to sanctions on Russia, in Chincha, Peru April 6, 2022. Picture taken April 6, 2022. REUTERS/Alessandro Cinque
Peru's government on Thursday ordered its armed forces to supervise the country's highways for the next month, amid crippling protests nationwide over rising food and fuel prices.
The country has been beset by road blockades for over a week as anger has flared over rising costs, which have spiked since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Peru is facing its highest inflation rate in a quarter century.
President Pedro Castillo has scrambled to come with meaningful solutions. This week he declared a curfew in Lima to try to stifle dissent which thousands defied, taking to the streets in protests that turned violent.
Demonstrators block the Pan-American highway, one of the key highways essential for food supplies in Peru's largest cities, during protests sparked by rising fuel and fertilizer costs, due to sanctions on Russia, in Villacuri, Peru April 6, 2022. Picture taken April 6, 2022. REUTERS/Alessandro Cinque
The government has cut taxes on fuel and raised the minimum wage and also proposed exempting essential food items from sales tax.
Castillo, who was a peasant farmer and teacher before taking office, is also in a precarious political situation.
His approval ratings have dipped to 19%, a record low according a Datum poll published on Thursday. He recently survived a second impeachment in less than a year in office.
Demonstrators block the Pan-American highway, one of the key highways essential for food supplies in Peru's largest cities, during protests sparked by rising fuel and fertilizer costs, due to sanctions on Russia, in Villacuri, Peru April 6, 2022. Picture taken April 6, 2022. Picture taken with a drone. REUTERS/Alessandro Cinque
(Reporting by Marcelo Rochabrun; editing by John Stonestreet)
Demonstrators and members of worker unions take part in a protest against Peru's President Pedro Castillo's government and rising food and fuel prices, in Lima, Peru April 7, 2022. REUTERS/Alessandro CinquePolice officer walk as demonstrators and members of worker unions protest against Peru's President Pedro Castillo's government and rising food and fuel prices in Lima, Peru April 7, 2022. REUTERS/Sebastian Castaneda
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
