Peru: Dozens injured in protests near airport

The amount of those injured in violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces in southern Peru rose to 36 on Saturday, according to the country's health ministry.

Peru has seen clashes been police and demonstrators demanding the resignation of President Dina Boluarte since Wednesday.

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Nuestro comgen Raúl Alfaro Alvarado acompañado de los tenientes generales Vicente Álvarez Moreno y Segundo Mejia Montenegro se encuentran en la #Diravpol donde llegaron en un vuelo procedente de #Juliaca, 3 policías que resultaron heridos en la ciudad antes mencionada. pic.twitter.com/lkO8YoAEtr

— Policía Nacional del Perú (@PoliciaPeru) January 7, 2023 >

What else do we know about the clashes?

Three police officers were injured in violent confrontations on Friday and flown to Peruvian capital Lima for treatment, police said on Saturday.

Police dispersed demonstrators using tear gas, Peru's RPP radio station reported.

According to RPP, protesters hurled stones at officers and tried to storm the Juliaca airport in Peru's southeastern Puno region.

The airport said it suspended operations in the face of "acts of violence" and a "lack of security" that puts staff and passengers at risk.

Peru's health ministry condemned an attack on an ambulance at the Saude Melgar center in Puno. It said that the vehicle, which was carrying three injured people, was left out of order after it was set upon by protesters.

Meanwhile, Peru's National Journalists' Association (ANP) condemned an attack on a photographer from the EFE news agency, who was covering protests near the airport. The ANP tweeted that she was "attacked by police at the Juliaca airport."

What are the protests about?

Protesters are demanding the resignation of President Dina Boluarte, who came to power after former President Pedro Castillo was impeached. The former president is currently in pre-trial detention.

Demonstrators are also demanding Castillo's release. Castillo had attempted to pre-empt a vote of no confidence in December by dissolving Congress, after which the legislative body removed him from office. He was arrested on charges of orchestrating an attempted coup.

In December, several airports in Peru were forced to suspend operations following protests.