Peru: Protests over price hikes put Castillo's government in check

The Peruvian head of state, Pedro Castillo, faces a series of protests due to the rise in fuel, fertilizer and food prices. After 8 days of people in the streets calling for the president to resign, last Monday, April 4, the strike called by a carrier unleashed a wave of violence.

The central region of Junín was the epicenter of the strong protests and blockades that left three people dead – one of them a minor – and at least 28 people injured.

Negotiation with carriers

Faced with the worsening of the annoyance within the population due to the rise in prices, especially transporters, Castillo decided to negotiate with the sector and they reached an agreement which consists of a reduction in fuel.

At the meeting held in Huancayo, it was also decided to control or eliminate competition with foreign carriers. In addition, it was learned that on May 1 a minimum wage increase will enter, which has not been increased since 2018.

However, these decisions did not prevent violence from taking over the Peruvian capital and in the town of Ica (southwest of the country), videos and images of burned vehicles went viral on social networks, as well as the looting of businesses, which caused chaos in the streets.

Curfew across the country

The president of Peru, Pedro Castillo, announced at midnight on April 5, a curfew, which began at 2 in the morning until 11:59 p.m. In this way he seeks to stop the violence in the streets, while trying to find a definitive solution to the situation.

Similarly, the national president decreed a state of emergency in Lima and El Callao, this measure prohibits freedom of assembly and transit; the immobility of the home.

Before the announcement, the critics did not wait, within the parliament the strongest questions came, such is the case of the entity's vice president, Lady Camones, who stressed that locking up Peruvians is not the solution, she emphasized that limiting or preventing protests is a dictatorial act that goes against the Constitution of the Andean country.

Rejection in the population

Due to the problems facing Peru, Castillo's popularity has dropped significantly. The curfew has created more annoyance in the population, who have hardened the call to protest and ask for the resignation of the president.

It should be remembered that, in just 8 months in office, Pedro Castillo has faced two processes in Congress for a possible impeachment, from which he has successfully escaped. This same entity has been in charge of relieving two heads of state from their positions in the last 4 years.