CNN
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At least 20 people, including four police officers, were injured Saturday during clashes between protesters and police in the southern Peruvian city of Andahuaylas in the Andes.
The Ombudsman’s office said on Twitter that it was working with paramedics to verify whether the injured received “adequate medical care at a city hospital,” but did not provide details. about wounds.
It said several people were detained but did not say how many.
Meanwhile, the National Police reports that two police officers detained by protesters have now been released and are being evaluated by medical staff.
The reason for Saturday’s protest is still unclear, but Andahuaylas is one of several towns in the country whose residents took to the streets this Friday in support. former President Pedro Castillo, who was ousted earlier this weekaccording to information provided to the media by the Ministry of the Interior.
Castillo was sacked Wednesday after he tried to dissolve the Peruvian Congress and call for new elections. He was arrested on charges of sedition and impeached by lawmakers in just one day.
Peruvian lawmakers described the move as a coup, and a majority of the 130-member National Assembly voted to impeach Castillo on the same day, ending with the oath of office. Dina Boluarte to the top position.
New President of Peru early elections excluded on Thursday on her first day in office following the dramatic arrest and ouster of her predecessor.
Castillo is also currently under preliminary arrest for seven days by order of the Supreme Court on Thursday after deeming him a runaway risk.
Castillo has faced a series of investigations into whether he used his position to benefit himself, his family and closest allies by selling off influence to gain popularity. favor or preferential treatment, among other claims.
He has repeatedly denied all allegations and reiterated his willingness to cooperate with any investigation. He argued that the charges were the result of a witch hunt against him and his family from groups that disapproved of his electoral victory.
The Ombudsman’s Office reiterated “the call for the people not to use violent means in their protests” and asked the National Police that “any action to restore public order must be carried out within the framework of the law on the use of force.”
