Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Reuters
Reuters
Politics
By Marco Aquino

Thousands march in Peru, demanding resignation of leftist President Castillo

People carry a Peruvian flag, during a protest against the government of Peru's President Pedro Castillo, in Lima, Peru November 5, 2022. REUTERS/Sebastian Castaneda

Thousands of people took to the streets across Peru on Saturday to demand the resignation of embattled President Pedro Castillo, a leftist whose government is under investigation for corruption.

Carrying the Andean nation's vertically striped red-white-red flag and signs with anti-government slogans, protesters marched towards the opposition-dominated Congress in the capital Lima.

People carry a Peruvian flag, during a protest against the government of Peru's President Pedro Castillo, in Lima, Peru November 5, 2022. REUTERS/Sebastian Castaneda

Castillo has called those who oppose his government "reactionaries" and "the enemies of people".

Police with helmets and plastic shields launched several tear gas canisters in an attempt to disperse the crowds. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

Castillo, who took office in July last year, has already survived two impeachment attempts. Opposition legislators are seeking a fresh trial against the president even though Congress recognized it would not gather sufficient votes.

A man holds a national flag in front of police officers during a protest against the government of Peru's President Pedro Castillo, in Lima, Peru November 5, 2022. REUTERS/Sebastian Castaneda TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

"We see a government involved in corruption and Congress doesn't react," said Lucas Ghersi, a conservative lawyer who is one of the organizers of the march, called Peru Reacts.

In October, Peru's attorney general filed a constitutional complaint against Castillo with Congress that the right-wing opposition hopes will end in his removal from office.

    Discontent has been rising in Peru. "I come for my children, for my grandchildren, because this government is becoming hell," said Maria del Pilar Blancas.

Police officers help a demonstrator during a protest against the government of Peru's President Pedro Castillo, in Lima, Peru November 5, 2022. REUTERS/Sebastian Castaneda

"They want us to become one more Venezuela," she said, referring to the South American neighbor that went into an economic freefall.

Similar protests were held in other cities across the country, including Arequipa, Chiclayo, Cusco and Trujillo, according to reports and images broadcast by local television channel Canal N.

(Reporting by Marco Aquino and Sebastian Castaneda in Lima; Writing by Stefanie Eschenbacher; Editing by William Mallard)

People take part in a protest against the government of Peru's President Pedro Castillo, in Lima, Peru November 5, 2022. REUTERS/Sebastian Castaneda
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.