Clashes between police and Gen Z protesters in Peru leave one dead

Peru’s capital, Lima, witnessed violent confrontations between anti-government demonstrators and riot police, resulting in the death of a 32-year-old man and over 100 injuries, including numerous police officers. The unrest follows the swearing-in of interim President José Jerí, who assumed office after the impeachment of former President Dina Boluarte on grounds of ‘permanent moral incapacity’. The protests, led primarily by young Peruvians, demand stronger action against rampant crime and corruption. President Jerí condemned the violence, alleging that criminals had infiltrated the demonstrations to incite chaos, and pledged a thorough investigation into the protester’s death. Eduardo Ruiz Sáenz, a hip-hop artist, was identified as the deceased, with preliminary reports suggesting he died from a gunshot wound to the chest. Witnesses accused a plainclothes police officer of the shooting, though no official confirmation has been provided. The protests, which have spread across major cities, reflect widespread dissatisfaction with Peru’s political elite, whom demonstrators accuse of failing to address systemic issues. Jerí, a member of the conservative Somos Perú party, is Peru’s seventh president in eight years, highlighting the nation’s ongoing political instability. Protesters are calling for a ‘clean slate’ and demanding Jerí’s resignation in favor of an independent leader. The recent impeachment of Boluarte, whose popularity plummeted amid allegations of power abuse, has further fueled public anger. Analysts attribute the political shift to a recent armed attack on a band, which intensified calls for accountability. Boluarte remains in Peru, denying the allegations and awaiting investigations.