Attachments
SITUATION IN NUMBERS
9.6 million Children and adolescents in Peru 2022
471.8 K People in need
132.8 K Children and adolescents in need
26 Persons deceased during the protests (5 adolescent boys)
Situation Overview
• On 7 December, hours after then-President Pedro Castillo announced the temporary closing of Congress (in practical terms, a coup d'état) and takeover of other government bodies, the Congress declared his vacancy and the Vice President Dina Boluarte assumed the presidency. Castillo was then arrested by the police.
• Upon taking office, President Boluarte announced that her mandate would last until 2026, which worsened a crisis that was already expressed in the streets demanding the immediate closure of Congress and new general elections. As of 16 December, the motion to move elections forward was rejected in Congress.
Moreover, serious questions have been raised on her new cabinet, and some ministers (including MoE) have already resigned.
• The number of territories with acts of protest and social unrest is increasing. These include road blockades and attacks on airports, public entities, private companies and media outlets, the latter accused of bias. To this day, twenty-six people have lost their lives; five were under 18 years of age1 , all of them male.
• On 15 December a national State of Emergency was implemented, partially restricting citizens' rights and conferring public security tasks to the Armed Forces. Several health, education, child and social protection services have been suspended or limited.
• On 16 December, Castillo was placed on remand for 18 months; his followers demand his release.
• Meanwhile, President Baluarte has been changing her discourse on bringing forward the elections, announcing them for April 2024 and finally mentioning the possibility of 2023. Constitutionally, this will only be possible if Congress allows it.
• President Boluarte’s government was recognized by Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Uruguay and the USA, while Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Nicaragua and Venezuela continue to support Castillo.