interim government said a state of emergency will be declared in the capital, Lima, after clashes between anti-government protesters and police turned deadly.
For weeks, have taken to the streets of Peruvian cities, decrying low wages, corruption and organized crime. On Wednesday, one man was shot dead, and 100 more were injured, when protests turned violent in the center of the capital. Some 80 police officers were also injured.
President says he will stay
Last week, former President Dina Doluarte , who cited her government’s inability to curb crime.
Her replacement, President Jose Jeri, is already facing calls by protesters to step down. On Thursday, Jeri told reporters he would not resign.
“My responsibility is to maintain the stability of the country; that is my responsibility and my commitment,” 38-year-old Jeri said. He added that he would ask Congress for “authority to legislate on public safety issues.”
Hip-hop singer killed
On Thursday, Peru’s prosecutor’s office said it was investigating the death on Wednesday of 32-year-old protester and hip-hop singer Eduardo Ruiz.
Prosecutors said Ruiz was shot during the protests. Police said the officer who had pulled the trigger was physically attacked.
Ruiz’s shooting is to be “objectively” investigated, President Jeri said, while expressing regret
Jeri said the violence was as a result of “delinquents who infiltrated a peaceful demonstration to sow chaos,” and promised to apply “the full force of the law.
Edited by: Wesley Rahn
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