Police fire tear gas as protests continue in Peru

Riot police have used tear gas to disperse anti-government protesters in the Peruvian capital as demonstrations that have been gripping the country since early December show

no sign of abating. Several hundred protesters marched late on Monday in central Lima to demand the removal of President Dina Boluarte. “Dina murderer”, some were

heard shouting before police moved in with tear gas volleys. At least 46 people have died since violent protests started early last month following the removal of

left-wing, Indigenous President Pedro Castillo. “The social protests will continue. We are working intensively with the defence ministry to resolve them,” Interior Minister

Vicente Romero told state TV. After a mass rally last week in Lima, another is planned for Tuesday by protesters demanding the resignation of Boluarte, despite authorities

calling a state of emergency. “We urgently need Dina to resign,” Edmunda Canaguira, 60, told AFP news agency. “She doesn’t listen to the people. It’s her fault that

we are in the streets this week, without food, without being able to sleep,” added Canaguira who came to the capital from Sicuani in the southeastern Andes of Peru to take part in

the protests. Protesters, many from poor Andean regions, are also demanding a new constitution, snap elections and the dissolution of Congress. Civil groups have

denounced the repression by security forces, but the minister defended the police and praised their “spectacular” abilities. “Right now we’re experiencing one of the

highest levels of violence in recent times, since the 1980s” when authorities were battling left-wing Shining Path fighters, said Romero.