LIMA (AP) — Peru’s capital was engulfed in chaos as protests led by Generation Z activists turned violent overnight, resulting in at least one civilian death and over 100 injuries, including 80 police officers and 10 journalists. Authorities have launched investigations into the death of Eduardo Ruíz, a 32-year-old hip-hop singer and protester, who was reportedly shot during the mass demonstration. The incident has sparked outrage and accusations of human rights violations, with prosecutors ordering the collection of ballistic evidence and the removal of Ruíz’s body from a Lima hospital. The protests, which began a month ago over demands for better pensions and wages, have since expanded to address broader grievances, including rampant crime, corruption, and widespread disillusionment with the government. The unrest intensified following the swearing-in of Peru’s seventh president in less than a decade on October 10, with demonstrators calling for the resignation of the new president and several lawmakers. Witnesses claim the shooter responsible for Ruíz’s death was fleeing accusations of being a plainclothes police officer infiltrating the protests. The demonstrations reflect a global wave of generational discontent, with similar protests erupting in Nepal, the Philippines, Indonesia, Kenya, and Morocco. In Lima, 27-year-old electrician David Tafur joined the protests after learning about them on TikTok, expressing frustration over corruption and government violence. The protests also targeted José Jerí, the newly appointed president of Congress, who faces criticism for his alleged involvement in a rape case and his legislative support for laws perceived to weaken anti-crime efforts. The unrest underscores decades of frustration among Peruvians, who have grown increasingly cynical about their leaders’ inability to address systemic issues. Sociologist Omar Coronel noted that the protests have evolved from pension demands to encompass broader concerns about insecurity, state erosion, and corruption. The violent scenes evoke memories of earlier protests under former President Dina Boluarte, which resulted in 50 deaths. Protesters carried signs condemning abuse of power and corruption, with one woman holding a poster that read, “From a murderess to a rapist, the same filth.” Tafur summarized the sentiment, stating, “For me, it’s about outrage over abuse of power, corruption, and killings.”
Gen Z protests in Peru leave at least 1 dead, 100 injured, prompting investigation
