At least 12 people died and another 38 were injured in the Peruvian region of Puno, on the border with Bolivia, the country’s Ministry of Health reported on Monday, in a new wave of protests demanding early elections and the release of imprisoned former leftist president Pedro Castillo. .
With this, the number of fatalities in clashes with the security forces increased to 34 since December, after the impeachment and arrest of former leftist president Pedro Castillo, who tried to illegally dissolve Congress.
Another six people have died in traffic accidents linked to blockades during protests, according to official data.
The demonstrators demand the resignation of President Dina Boluarte, the closure of Congress, change of the Constitution and the release of Castillo, who is serving a preventive prison of 18 months accused of “rebellion”which the former president denies.
“We ask the forces of order to make a legal, necessary and proportional use of force and we urge @FiscaliaPeru to carry out a speedy investigation to clarify the facts,” the Ombudsman said on Twitter.
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