LIMA, Jan 4 (NNN-ANDINA) — Pres Dina Boluarte called on citizens to avoid confrontations —following the announced resumption of mobilizations starting Wednesday.
In an interview with Peruvian newspaper La Republica, the Head of State asked citizens to allow her to reach out and talk (to them) in order to find common points regarding their demands.
The top official affirmed that she is already talking with governors of Ayacucho, Arequipa, and Apurimac regions to prioritize (public) works that can be indeed executed.
In this sense, the President indicated that she seeks to do the same in the southern area of the country.
“We cannot be at odds,” Boluarte emphasized. Similarly, she pointed out that the demands, which are the subject of the recently-held marches in various regions, were entirely politically-driven.
The President said that the protests against her derive from too many unmet demands.
“There were too many decentralized Councils during ex-President Pedro Castillo’s administration,” she expressed, noting that regional and local authorities who participated in them “had been given expectations that went unfulfilled.“
In this sense, the Head of State emphasized that “none of the petitions of those (citizens) who have gone out to march included unresolved demands linked to social programs.“
“They were all of political nature: early elections, dissolution of Congress, Constituent Assembly, resignation of Dina Boluarte, and release of Pedro Castillo,” she said.
Boluarte said that, although there is a constitutional right to protest, the marches must be peaceful. “They must not create disorder, chaos, fires, road blockades,” she indicated.
“I have met with the Ministers of Defense and Interior to tell them that, if citizens are going to come out after the 4th (of January), life and health must be protected,” she expressed.
Regarding the death of more than 20 citizens during the protests, she indicated that today she will talk with Attorney General Patricia Benavides “so that progress on the investigation can be made in the most prudent time.“
“The situation of how these deaths occurred will have to be assessed in person, because there have been shots. There are police officers who are seriously injured by the gunshots. So, it must be investigated where they had come from,” she remarked.
On this regard, the Head of State stressed that from the Government “we have made the necessary decisions to safeguard peace, tranquility, and life.“
Therefore, the deaths are the responsibility of those who have incited and carried out violent acts, she added.
Boluarte officially became President of the Republic on Dec 7, 2022, after ex-President Pedro Castillo was constitutionally impeached and removed from office by Parliament. — NNN-ANDINA
