Peru president’s ouster sparkswave of youth-led protests
LIMA, Peru — University student YesseniaMedina was trying to concentrate onher virtualpsychology class when a stunning headline popped up on her screen: Peru’s Congress had voted to oust the nation’s popular president.
Furious, the 23-year-old joined the thousands of students, workers and others protesting this week, decrying Congress and refusing to recognize the new president, Manuel Merino.
“I think they removed him out of their own personal interests rather than those of the people,” she said. “Legislators are supposed to watching out for the good of all.”
Peru’s Congress voted overwhelmingly to remove now exPresident Martin Vizcarra on Monday, complaining about his handling of thepandemicandaccusing him of corruption. The shock vote drew condemnation from international rights groups who warned that the powerful legislaturemay have violated the constitution and jeopardized Peru’s democracy.
The move has also sparked protests unlike anyseen in recent years, fueled largely by young people typically apathetic to the country’s notoriously turbulent politics who saw the ouster as a power grab by lawmakers, many ofwhomwere being investigated for corruption under Vizcarra’s government.
Police repressing the mobilizations with tear gas and rubber bullets have been criticized for excessive use of force. Nineteen people, including officers and civilians, were injured at a large protest Thursday, according to the public defender’s office. Rights groups have also warned about theuseofplain clothesofficers with no identification and tear gas deployed near homes and hospitals.
Eighteen protesters were detained in the march Thursday.
“Peruvians have a right to protest,” said Jose Miguel Vivanco, Americas director for Human Rights Watch. “Police and other authorities should protectpeacefuldemonstrationsandinall situations refrain from using excessive force.”
Analysts say the demonstrations — and the heavy-handed police response — are a clear sign that Merino will have difficulty governing. Few countries in the region extended congratulations to the new leader and many are calling on him to keep in place a planned April election.
Merino has stated the presidential vote will take place as scheduled and defended Vizcarra’s ouster, saying it was an “act of absolute responsibility” and evencalling the formerpresident “a thief.”
Prosecutors are investigating allegations Vizcarra took over $630,000 in bribes in exchange for two construction projects while governor of a small province years ago.
Vizcarra — who made combatting the nation’s widespread corruption the mission of his government — vehemently denied the allegations. But members of Congress — half of whomare under investigation themselves — pressed forward, invoking a clause dating to the 19th century that allows them to remove a president for “moral incapacity.”
The ex-president has not been charged.
The political turbulence comes as Peru has the highest per capital COVID-19 mortality rate globally and one of the region’s most severe economic contractions. The International Monetary Fund estimates Peru’s GDPcould decline14 percent this year.