Police and young anti-government protesters clashed in the Peruvian capital, Lima, over the weekend. A rights group reported that at least 18 protesters were injured during the protests on Saturday and Sunday, dubbed the 'Gen Z march' by organizers. A police officer also suffered burns during the unrest.
Mobilized groups of youth, mainly under 30, marched toward Congress expressing their discontent over ongoing corruption scandals and rising insecurity. Protesters resorted to throwing stones and other projectiles, prompting police to deploy tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds, according to the AFP news agency.
The protests erupted following the approval of a pension reform that mandates contributions to private pension funds from young workers. Many young Peruvians are demanding the resignation of President Dina Boluarte, who has faced dismal approval ratings in recent months.
'We are marching against corruption, for life, and against the crime that is killing us every day,' shared 28-year-old Adriana Flores with AFP. Transport workers joined the dissent, asserting that the government's efforts to combat extortion are inadequate, especially from gangs like the Venezuela-based Tren de Aragua.
Placards with messages like 'We demand a life without fear' highlighted the urgency of the situation. Protesters attempted to breach police barricades around Congress, chanting for a change in government. The reactions from authorities drew criticism, as human rights groups condemned the use of heavy tear gas and called for accountability.
Many Peruvians are disillusioned with Congress, accusing it of not representing their interests, especially after recent moves by President Boluarte, which included doubling her own salary amidst public outrage over her low approval ratings and governmental failures.
