“Several killed in anti-government clashes in southern Peru”, January 10, 2023

At least 12 people died following clashes in Juliaca in southern Peru, a regional health ministry said on Monday, after a resumption of protests demanding early elections and the release of jailed former President Pedro Castillo…. The latest casualties take the death toll from anti-government clashes with security forces to 34 since the protests began in early December following the removal and arrest of Castillo shortly after he tried to illegally dissolve Congress… Castillo is serving 18 months of pre-trial detention on charges of rebellion, which he denies…At least 38 people had been injured and hospitalised in Juliaca, the ministry added in a statement published on Facebook… In Juliaca, near the banks of Lake Titicaca in Peru's southern Puno region, a Reuters witness recorded footage of gunshots and smoke on the streets as protesters took cover behind large metal plates and road signs and threw rocks at police using improvised sling-shots… Protests resumed last week after a holiday lull. Apart from early elections and the release of Castillo, the protestors are calling for the resignation of new President Dina Boluarte, closure of Congress and changes to the constitution.