The total balance of victims since last December 11 now rises to 37 deaths
The number of deceased protesters in the Peruvian region of Puno, bordering Bolivia, this Monday rose to nineon the sixth day of anti-government protests after the Christmas truce, bringing the number of fatalities since December 11 to 37 people.
The Ombudsman’s Office confirmed through its Twitter account the death of the nine people in the clashes in the vicinity of the Juliaca airport, which is being the epicenter of citizen protests in 2023 that demand the resignation of President Dina Boluartethe advancement of elections in 2023 and a new constitution, among other claims.
A baby fatality
A 35-week-old baby was one of those who died in Puno because the ambulance in which he was transferred to a hospital was left in the middle of the blockades of the protesters, reported this Monday the Regional Health Directorate (Diresa) of that department. The baby was treated at the Yunguyo hospital last Sunday and was sent to the Manuel Núñez Butrón regional hospital due to respiratory failure and sepsis, for which he required the attention of a neonatology specialist. However, “it did not happen because there were difficulties for the ambulance to pass at the height of Molino, district of Juli, province of Chucuito”, in Puno, the Diresa statement added.
The entity stated that the health services have the mission of “protecting the health of the population” in any type of circumstance and “in social conflict, care for the injured and be on alert” to avoid “unwanted events.” He added that health workers are free citizens who participate together with the people “in the just demands that are filed.” However, they called on “the leaders and social fighters to maintain serenity” and protect the health of the people together with the health personnel who work treating patients in ambulances who need to be transferred to a hospital.
Hours before, as reported by the newspaper ‘La República’ and several local media, a man would have died, 35 years old, who was injured in the head in the city of Puno and was later transferred to Juliaca –about 60 kilometers away– to receive medical attention, although he died shortly after arriving in the city, around 2:00 a.m. ( local time). Congressmen from the department of Puno issued a joint statement to demand Boluarte’s resignation after clashes in the region over the weekend, which left some thirty people injured, including several journalists.
On the other hand, the Coronel Alfredo Mendívil Duarte de Ayacucho airport has had to temporarily suspend its operations this Monday “as a preventive measure” in the face of clashes between protesters and police officers in the region, according to RPP.
The protests in Peru began after the arrest of former President Pedro Castillo and his accusation of rebellion when trying to close Congress and call parliamentary elections after a year and a half trying to govern while dealing with the maneuvers of the chamber, which won its third victory. dismissal.