LIMA, Jan 13 (NNN-ANDINA) — Economy and Finance Minister Alex Contreras estimated that the economic losses caused by protests have exceeded S/300 million (over US$78.9 million) so far this year, with a “very negative” focused impact in troubled areas.
“In the case of Puno, which is the most affected area, the impact is very negative. The situation is complicated considering that this region is the one with the highest poverty levels, that is, 43% of its population. In addition, more than S/500 million (over US$131.5 million) has not been executed,” he said in remarks to RPP Noticias.
The Cabinet member lamented that protesters are attacking State-owned infrastructure, which is detrimental to them because these furniture and properties constitute the foundation to provide good services to citizens.
“Today (Wednesday), I received a report from the National Superintendence of Tax Administration (Sunat), which revealed that more than 50 vehicles within its jurisdiction have been burned,” the minister explained.
“These 50 vehicles were going to be donated to the Regional Government of Puno and to provincial municipalities in a bid to contribute to the improvement of their management,” he added.
In this sense, the Cabinet member affirmed that the Government strongly seeks to engage in dialogue in order to stop excesses and prevent further accumulation of economic losses to the detriment of the country and the region.
“We talked to the Minister of Energy and Mines yesterday (Tuesday), and we have found it convenient to launch an Executive Bureau for the industrialization of lithium. This is something that the people of Puno are asking for,” the government official stated.
“We will work this week to establish strategies and take advantage of this important resource. Also, we will make use of Puno’s potential,” he added.
Afterwards, he called on the people of Puno to prioritize dialogue in order to move their region forward.
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Ana Cecilia Gervasi announced that a representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk will arrive in Lima on Jan 18, at the invitation of the Peruvian Government.
At a press conference held after the Council of Ministers session, the minister stressed that the IACHR high-level mission is currently on a visit to the country, having met with various representatives of the Executive Branch and civil society.
“On Wednesday, the commission held meetings with the President (Dina Boluarte), the Prime Minister, with the Ministries of Justice, Defense, and Interior, as well as the Ombudsman’s Office and civil organizations,” she told reporters.
The government official noted that the IACHR delegation is currently in Juliaca (Puno region) holding various meetings according to the planned agenda.
The Cabinet member also mentioned that part of this delegation arrived in Arequipa region, and that other representatives would hold meetings in Ica in the afternoon.
“This mission of the IACHR will come to an end tomorrow. They (its members) will hold a final meeting with State authorities, the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Besides, they will hold a press conference in the end,” she added. — NNN-ANDINA
