2022–2023 Peruvian protests

Since December 2022, supporters of the ousted president of Peru, Pedro Castillo,[24][25][26] have engaged in a series of political protests against the government of Dina Boluarte and the Congress of Peru. The demonstrations were organized by social organizations and indigenous peoples who felt they experienced political disenfranchisement, specifically on the politically left-wing to far left.[27][28][29][30] The protests have no defined leadership and were instead organized by grassroots movements.[31] Castillo was ousted after his dismissal by Congress and arrest for having announced the dissolution of Congress, the intervention of the state apparatus and the establishment of an "emergency government", which has been characterized as a self-coup attempt. Among the main demands of the demonstrators is the dissolution of Congress, the resignation of the current president Dina Boluarte, new general elections, the release of Castillo and the installation of a constituent assembly.[28][32] It was also reported that some of the protesters have declared themselves in an insurgency.[33][34][35]

2022–2023 Peruvian political protests
Part of the 2017–present Peruvian political crisis
Top to bottom, left to right: Protesters in Lima draped with Peruvian flags and waving Wiphalas on 12 December, demonstrations in Huancayo on 9 December, protests outside where Castillo was detained at la Prefectura
Date	7 December 2022 – present (2022-12-07 – present) (1 month, 2 weeks and 6 days)
Location	Peru[1]
Caused by	Impeachment and arrest of Pedro Castillo after the self-coup attempt
Goals	Resignation of President Dina Boluarte and Government of Peru Dissolution of Congress Establishment of constituent assembly New general election Release of Pedro Castillo
Methods	Protests, blockades, demonstrations, civil disobedience, civil resistance, strike action, riots
Status	Ongoing National state of emergency declared Economic losses due to stoppages of road and industrial infrastructure Resignation of ministers from Boluarte's cabinet after the Ayacucho and Juliaca massacres Defense minister Alberto Otárola made prime minister Protesters throughout Peru congregating in Lima
Parties to the civil conflict
Anti-government protestors List National Assembly of the Peoples Agrarian and Rural Front of Peru Central Única Nacional de Rondas Campesinas AIDESEP ONAMIAP [es] National Front of Carriers and Drivers of Peru Ayacucho People's Defense Front Departmental Federation of Cusco Workers (FDTC)[2] Túpac Amaru Cusco Agrarian Revolutionary Federation (FARTAC)[2] Cusco University Federation (FUC)[2] SUTEP[2] Cusco Regional Youth Assembly (Arejo)[2] CGTP[3] CUT[4] Supported by: Free Peru Together for Peru[5] New Peru PCP[6] PHP[7] Democratic Peru Bicentennial Peru[8] BMCN[9] Broad Front MOVADEF Red Fatherland[10] Ethnocacerists ANTAURO Union for Peru[11] PCP (Marxist–Leninist)[12] Government of Peru Congress of Peru Armed Forces National Police Supported by: Popular Force[13] Popular Renewal[13] Go on Country[14] Alliance for Progress[13] PPC[15] Peru Secure Homeland National Society of Mining, Oil and Energy (SNMPE)[16]
Lead figures
Decentralized leadership (various social leaders) Dina Boluarte Alberto Otárola José Williams Pedro Angulo (until 21 December)
Number
Tens of thousands[17] 90,000 ronderos[18]
Casualties
Death(s)	60 civilians[19] 1 officer[20]
Injuries	600+[21][22]
Arrested	378[23]

Right-wing groups and the Boluarte government have opposed the protests and have used the terruqueo to label certain demonstrators as terrorists, which dates back to the internal conflict in Peru.[36] The use of the terruqueo to label protesters as terrorists has provided impunity to authorities, increasing the risk of violence.[36][37] The Boluarte government announced a national state of emergency on 14 December, removing some constitutional protections from citizens, including the rights preventing troops from staying within private homes and buildings, the freedom of movement, the freedom of assembly, and "personal freedom and security" for 30 days.[38][39] The response of the Boluarte government and Peruvian authorities was criticized by human rights non-governmental organizations,[40][41] with two massacres occurring; the Ayacucho massacre and Juliaca massacre. The government's inclusion of the Peruvian Armed Forces in responding to the protests was also criticized due to the history of troops killing protesters with impunity.[21] The politicization of the armed forces also raised concerns of a developing civilian-military government in Peru.[42][43]

Multiple ministers have resigned from Boluarte's cabinet throughout the series of protests following acts of violence perpetrated by authorities.[44][45] Attorney General of Peru Patricia Benavides announced investigations on 10 January 2023 for the alleged crimes of genocide, aggravated homicide and serious injuries against President Dina Boluarte, Prime Minister Alberto Otárola, Minister of the Interior Víctor Rojas and Minister of Defense Jorge Chávez.[46]