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Protesters in Peru clash with police and burn US flag (VIDEO) Protesters in Peru burn US flags (VIDEO)
(about 3 hours later)
Activists have chanted slogans denouncing President Dina Boluarte and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, set to start in Lima on FridayActivists have chanted slogans denouncing President Dina Boluarte and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, set to start in Lima on Friday
Hundreds of Peruvians protested on the streets of the country’s capital, Lima, on Thursday, denouncing President Dina Boluarte’s government and its inability to tackle organized crime. The protests took place as over a dozen world leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden, arrived in the country for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, set to begin on Friday. Anti-government protestors in the Peruvian capital Lima burned US flags on Thursday to denounce President Dina Boluarte and Peru’s hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.
Earlier this week, Peruvian transport unions announced a 72-hour strike and called for protests to demand greater efforts to tackle extortion of transport companies and the murder of drivers by organized crime groups. They were joined by the General Confederation of Workers of Peru, the largest workers’ union in the country. The unrest coincided with the arrival of world leaders, including American President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping.
Videos posted online showed activists chanting slogans against Boluarte’s administration and its failure to provide adequate security measures. A previous wave of protests in September led Peruvian authorities to declare a 60-day state of emergency in Lima to tackle the violence, although activists claimed these efforts were not enough. They also said they wanted Thursday’s protests to coincide with the APEC forum in order to draw international attention to Peru’s domestic troubles. Footage shared online showed activists torching American flags while chanting slogans such as “Get out, imperialist Yankees.” Banners declaring “APEC trash looters out” and “APEC accomplices to dictatorship” highlighted widespread discontent over Peru’s economic ties with global powers.
“We are being extorted every day, we are tired of it. Peru does not have a good international image, that is why we are here,” protester Madeleine Rojas told AFP. Protesters argue that these alliances benefit elites while exacerbating inequality and crime.
“We want the international community to know that they are killing us, there is no policy to fight organized crime and public insecurity head-on,” Walter Carrera, president of the National Association of Transporters (Asotrani), who also took part in the protests, told the media. “We are being extorted every day, we are tired of it,” protester Madeleine Rojas told AFP. “Peru does not have a good international image; that is why we are here.”
Meanwhile, protesters also denounced Peru’s cooperation with APEC and claimed that the country doesn’t benefit from its involvement in the bloc. Footage showed activists burning US flags and waving banners that read “Get out, imperialist Yankees,” “APEC trash looters out,” and “APEC accomplices to dictatorship.” The demonstrations were triggered by a strike organized by transport unions demanding tougher action against organized crime.
According to local media reports, the demonstrators tried to march to the Lima Convention Center where the APEC Forum was set to be held, but were stopped by police. The standoff resulted in violent clashes. The General Confederation of Workers of Peru, the nation’s largest labor union, joined the strike, amplifying calls for stronger public security policies.
Despite the protests, Peruvian authorities said they planned to hold the APEC events as scheduled. The government has activated a contingent of 13,000 police officers to guarantee the security of the forum. Walter Carrera, president of the National Association of Transporters (Asotrani), warned of the nation’s deepening crisis. “We want the international community to know that they are killing us. There is no policy to fight organized crime and public insecurity head-on,” he said.
Protesters attempted to march on the Lima Convention Center, where APEC meetings are being held, but were met by a heavy police presence. Clashes erupted as officers prevented demonstrators from nearing the venue.
Authorities had deployed 13,000 police officers to ensure the forum’s security.
Critics of Boluarte’s administration said Thursday’s protests were a calculated effort to draw international attention. “We want leaders like Biden and Xi to know what is really happening here,” one protester said.
Despite the turmoil, the Peruvian government vowed that the APEC summit would proceed as planned.