In brief
In the heart of Lima, clashes between police and mainly young anti-government protesters resulted in the death of 32-year-old Eduardo Ruiz Sáenz, alongside over 100 injuries. The protests erupted shortly after José Jerí was sworn in as the interim president, with insufficient action against crime and corruption at the forefront of demonstrators' demands. Amid accusations of infiltration by criminals and police brutality, the government has vowed to initiate a thorough investigation into the tragic death of Ruiz Sáenz.
Clashes between anti-government protesters and riot police in the Peruvian capital, Lima, have left a 32-year-old man dead and more than 100 people injured, including many police officers.
The protests come less than a week after José Jerí was sworn in as the interim president following the impeachment of his predecessor, Dina Boluarte.
Wednesday's demonstrations were organized by mainly young Peruvians who demand that the country's political class do more to combat high levels of crime and corruption.
President Jerí stated that the protest had been infiltrated by criminals intent on causing chaos and announced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the protester.
He expressed regret over the death of Eduardo Ruiz Sáenz but refrained from revealing further details.
Congress member Ruth Luque indicated that preliminary reports suggest Ruiz Sáenz was killed by a bullet wound to the chest, with eyewitnesses accusing a plainclothes police officer of the shooting.
Local media have reported that the unrest directly correlates with the political discontent towards the newly appointed government, as protesters are increasingly frustrated with the ongoing corruption and crime issues facing their communities.
This unrest embodies the growing disenchantment with the political system, as the interim president faces calls for his resignation even as he has just stepped into office.
