In a dramatic escalation of tensions, police and anti-government protesters clashed in Lima, Peru, over the weekend. The protests, organized under the banner of the ‘Gen Z march,’ saw thousands of young demonstrators, joined by bus and taxi drivers, march towards the Congress building to voice their outrage over rampant corruption, rising insecurity, and recent pension reforms. According to a human rights group, at least 18 protesters were injured, while a police officer suffered burns during the confrontations. Protesters, some of whom hurled stones and other projectiles, were met with tear gas and rubber bullets from law enforcement. The demonstrations, which began on September 20, were initially sparked by a controversial pension reform requiring young people to contribute to private pension funds. However, the protests have since broadened to include demands for President Dina Boluarte’s resignation, whose approval ratings have plummeted to single digits. Many Peruvians accuse her government of failing to address extortion by criminal gangs, including the Venezuela-based Tren de Aragua, which allegedly forces transport workers to pay ‘protection money.’ Protesters also criticized Congress for its perceived detachment from public interests, with one young woman telling local media, ‘We need a total change; we’re sick of this situation.’ Human rights groups condemned the police response, with one lawyer stating, ‘There was no justification for firing large amounts of tear gas, much less for attacking people.’ As the protests continue, the chants of ‘united for the Peru we deserve’ echo through Lima’s streets, underscoring the deep-seated discontent among Peruvians.