LIMA, Dec 14 (NNN-ANDINA) — Pres Dina Boluarte called for calm to reign nationwide, in the face of violent protests carried out by various groups.
Similarly, the Head of State emphasized that her administration will be a transitional one.
Remarks were made after visiting the girl from Andahuaylas who was admitted to the National Institute of Ophthalmology in Lima —after being injured during protests.
The top official stressed that hers will be an open-to-dialogue government and announced that “a crisis commission” is being formed at the National Emergency Operations Center.
In this sense, the President said Defense Minister Alberto Otarola is travelling to Arequipa and Andahuaylas regions to set up a dialogue roundtable.
While talking about bringing general elections forward to 2024, the President indicated that she has coordinated a meeting with Congress’ Constitution Commission “so that we can shorten the deadlines with them.”
Boluarte explained that hers will be a Transition Government, adding that she will ensure attention to issues such as drought and others which require urgent solution. This will not be possible if agitation persists in Peru, she specified.
Regarding the deaths of seven people in the context of violent demonstrations held over recent days, she said these “hurt my heart.”
“We will accompany the relatives in whatever way we can to make this situation less painful,” she expressed.
Similarly, the top official indicated that she has given the National Police instructions not to use lethal weapons, “not even rubber pellets.”
Within this framework, she indicated that Interior Minister Cesar Cervantes has the order to identify those who encourage those actions.
The Head of State said talks have been held with the Public Ministry so that its agencies identify those who are committing vandalism, burning property, and taking over public facilities.
In this sense, Boluarte affirmed the measures to be taken by her administration do not have to be more extreme.
“I think the sisters and brothers are going to understand my call, and they are going to calm down,” she expressed.
The President said she did not understand why an adverse reaction comes from a sector of the population.
Boluarte recalled that she had been part of the presidential ticket elected in the 2021 general elections, and that she had to assume the lead once ex-President Pedro Castillo had broken the constitutional order.
“I don’t know who had advised him (to do so),” she remarked.
“I don’t understand why my Apurimac region brothers rise up against their sister,” Boluarte asked and called on the population of said region, where she was born, and from other parts of the country mobilized today to remain calm.
This situation “is not doing us any good as a country,” she emphasized.
The top official explained she has not had a fight with ex-President Pedro Castillo and revealed that in recent times a group of people had “cornered” him, preventing him from making contact with her. Thus, Boluarte said she had not known about Castillo’s decision to stage a coup last week.
At that point, she believes the words written by Castillo in a letter, in which he called her a “usurper,” may not be from him, but from people who “continue to manipulate him.”
In this sense, she said it is the ex-Prime Minister, Betssy Chavez, who must respond for the confrontational actions developed by the ex-government.
As is known, Boluarte officially became President of the Republic on Dec 7 after ex-President Pedro Castillo was constitutionally impeached and removed from office by Parliament. — NNN-ANDINA
