Protest in Peru - 8th February 2023

People in Peru are angry with the government. They're showing their anger in the streets. They're protesting. President Pedro Castillo went to prison. Then, the protests started. He tried to change the government. He wanted to be the only leader.

Castillo was from a poor family. They were farmers. Many traditional communities and poor families voted for him. But now, these people are unhappy.

Fernando Condori wants this government to change.

Fernando Condori: "We are here because the Andean peoples cannot be silenced by bullets, but we are here to defend ourselves against this oppressive and dictatorial government."

Peru's indigenous people aren't happy with the government. Kevin Huatta wants new rules.

Kevin Huatta: "We want a new constitution, one that represents the true people of Taquile, native Peruvians, the region of Puno, and our brothers and sisters throughout Peru who live far away from the capital."

Dina Boluarte is the new president. But there's a lot of fighting. Many people died in the protests. People don't want Boluarte to continue as president.

Luz Helena Guarnez is a doctor. She's helping people at the protests.

Luz Helena Guarnez: "Today we have an average of ten people who have come to our care posts and they have mainly been wounded by pellets and there have also been contusions by pellets and some people have come with fractures."

In 5 years, Peru had 6 presidents. People are tired. They want a new leader, a new government and new rules.