Peru between pellets

By Roberto Morejón

It may be from bullets or pellets, but the bulk of the deaths during the protests of the last two months in Peru correspond to a form of violence, fundamentally institutional, while the appointed ruler, the political class and the economic elite hold on to their posts.

With the deaths caused by the use of force in southern regions such as the punished city of Juliaca, the figure reached 70, while the number of injured in 60 days exceeded 1,200, according to the Ombudsman's Office.

Marchers, road blockades, hostile equipment of police and other security personnel, demands for the resignation of President Dina Boluarte, the dissolution of Congress and the call for new elections, prevail in the heated panorama of the Andean country.

But the Parliament, dominated by the right wing with less than 7 percent approval, Boluarte and the well-to-do, eminently white class, justify the deaths because, they affirm, the terrorists are responsible.

They do so in total denial of the drama of the other Peru, predominantly from the south, of peasant and indigenous origin, poor, forgotten and victims of inequality.

Speeches and threats are made against them and racism prevails, practiced even by the uniformed personnel themselves, since the calls of the corps are made mainly in the northern areas.

The demonstrators make this clear to the press which, amidst the bullets, tries to reach them.

Human rights organizations have reported arbitrary detentions, including those of minors, and mistreatment.

Moreover, no official, military or security personnel have been charged for the deaths of the marchers, although the government claims to be awaiting investigations by the prosecutor's office.

The deterioration of the human rights situation in Peru is undeniable, although it is not recognized by the government, the U.S. embassy, very polite to Boluarte, and the OAS, now making mute, in contrast to its usual interventionist bias.

Only this connivance saves the ruler from the forced departure, while the legislature, refusing to abandon its privileges, refuses to advance the elections. 

Peru seems to be entering a dead end, where the representatives of the State and the government cling to their unshakable positions.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)