LIMA, Aug 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Some two thousand people took to the streets of downtown Lima on Saturday to call on Peru’s Congress to remove leftist president Pedro Castillo and his cabinet.
Peru’s first leader in decades with no ties to the country’s political or economic elite, Castillo was sworn in on July 28 with a lengthy to-do list, including plans to reform the country’s free-market-friendly constitution.
He has also sought to calm fears among investors, the business community and backers of right-wing opponent Keiko Fujimori, who have sought to portray him as a communist who would turn Peru into a new Venezuela.
Saturday saw demonstrators march just a few blocks from the government palace, denouncing what they dubbed a “social-communist government.”
The central Plaza San Martin saw protests until late at night, after which a few hundred demonstrators tried to march on the headquarters of the Presidency, where they were met with metal fences and barricades set up by the National Police.
Although there were no direct clashes between the police and protesters, the security forces did launch tear gas canisters and deployed some mounted units.
Castillo has faced a turbulent week and a half in office, stoking controversy with his appointment of Guido Bellido, an electronic engineer with no experience in public office, as his prime minister.
Peruvian media have reported that Bellido has been investigated by prosecutors for an alleged “apology for terrorism” over statements made after taking up his parliamentary seat last Friday — which assured him immunity from prosecution.
A poll released Friday showed that 41% of Peruvians surveyed disapproved of Castillo’s administration so far, with only five percent supportive of plans to draft a new Constitution.
