Peru protesters clash with police in airport takeover attempt in Puno
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[January 07, 2023]
LIMA (Reuters) - Dozens of protesters attempted to take
over an airport near Peru's border with Bolivia Friday as part of
anti-government protests, prompting police to use tear gas to disperse
them.
Protesters set fire to a police tank outside the Inca Manco Capac
airport in Juliaca, in Peru's Puno region, according to images on social
media and local television.
Protests against President Dina Boluarte resumed this week after a
two-week pause, following violent clashes in December that left 22 dead
after the removal and arrest of former President Pedro Castillo.
News outlets in Puno reported 15 injured, including two policemen. The
healthy ministry did not immediately confirm the reports.
Andean Airports of Peru, which operates the Juliaca airport, said
services were suspended "due to the violent acts and lack of security."
In December, protesters forced the temporary closure of three airports
in Peru.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2023/Jan/07/images/ads/current/LPL_small%201.gif)
Demonstrators demand Boluarte's resignation, the closure of Congress,
constitutional changes and Castillo's release. The former president is
serving 18 months in pre-trial detention while being investigated for
"rebellion" after illegally trying to close Congress, a charge he
denies.
Up to 49 blockade points were reported Friday in different regions of
the country, an uptick from the day before, the Ombudsman's office said
in a statement.
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![](../images/010723PIX/news_w47.jpg)
Demonstrators block the Desaguadero
Border Crossing Point between Bolivia and Peru during a protest
following the ouster of Peru’s former President Pedro Castillo, in
Desaguadero, Peru, January 6, 2023. REUTERS/Claudia Morales
![](../images/010723PIX/news_w22.png)
In the Ica region, on Peru's central coast, protesters have blocked
a key highway, stranding dozens of passenger and cargo transport
vehicles.
"We have already supported last year's strike, we have been
unemployed for about 10 days and the truth is, with the pandemic and
all that there has been, we want to continue working," said Jose
Palomino, a driver affected by the roadblock.
The attorney general's office said Friday it was assessing
complaints against Boluarte and three of her ministers and, if
warranted, would launch an investigation into deaths that occurred
during December's protests.
Human rights group have accused security forces of using deadly
firearms and launching smoke bombs on protesters, who the army says
have used homemade weapons and explosives.
Boluarte welcomed the prosecutor's announcement on Twitter, writing
that she "will provide all the appropriate resources for the prompt
clarification of the facts, as he has repeatedly requested."
(Reporting by Marco Aquino; Additional reporting by Alfredo Galarza
for Reuters TV; editing by Diane Craft)
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