​​Protesters take over the runways of the Rodriguez Ballon Airport, Arequipa, Peru​​

Lima, December 12 (RHC)-- Thousands of protesters in Peru continue to take to the streets calling for the closure of the Congress and the resignation of President Dina Boluarte.

On Monday morning, demonstrators took over the facilities and runways of the Alfredo Rodriguez Ballon International Airport, which is Arequipa, the country's second largest city.  The action took place after protesters broke the perimeter fence that surrounds the facilities.

The civil aviation authorities then ordered the evacuation of the people who were inside the terminal and closed operations at the airport.  Once the protesters occupied the airport, they burned tires on the runways.  The Police and the Army entered the area and harshly repressed the demonstrators.

The head of the Ombudsman's Office in Arequipa, Angel Maria Manrique, denounced that the security forces injured at least two people with pellets.

Meanwhile, at least 25 points on the Peruvian highway network were blocked by protesters with burning tires and containers.  One of the strongest protests is taking place in Chala, a mining area in Arequipa, where over 4,000 people are rejecting the Boluarte administration.

There are also roadblocks in areas where former President Pedro Castillo had greater electoral support, such as the province of Ica.  In the coastal province of Trujillo, the citizens of Viru maintain blockades on the Pan-American highway and demand Castillo's release.

Roadblocks are also present in other provinces in the south and interior of the country such as Puno, Abancay, Uyacali and Tacna.  According to the Peruvian Police, over 6,000 protesters are directly involved in the roadblocks.  And traffic is nearly completely paralyzed throughout the country.