One Dead, Over 100 Injured as Protests Rock Peru’s Capital

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At least one person was killed and more than 100 others injured during violent clashes at a rally in Lima, Peru’s capital, on Wednesday, President Jose Jeri confirmed.

The unrest marks a fresh wave of anger against the country’s political establishment, just days after Jeri assumed office.

According to the Ombudsman’s Office, 102 people were injured — including 24 civilians and 78 police officers — as youth-led demonstrations erupted across Lima and several other cities.

Protesters, frustrated by the government’s inability to tackle a worsening crime crisis, attempted to breach security barriers around Congress, hurling stones and lighting fireworks, AFP reported. Police in riot gear responded with tear gas.

“I regret the death of 32-year-old citizen Eduardo Ruiz Sanz,” Jeri said on X (formerly Twitter), without providing further details.

The National Human Rights Coordinator (CNDDHH), an NGO, alleged that the victim may have been shot by a plainclothes police officer. AFP photographs showed a police officer bleeding from the head after being struck by a stone.

Jeri condemned the violence, saying the initially “peaceful demonstration” had been infiltrated by criminal elements seeking to cause chaos.

The protests followed the impeachment of former president Dina Boluarte last week, amid corruption allegations and public outrage over rising extortion, contract killings, and insecurity.

“I think there is general discontent because nothing has been done,” said Amanda Meza, a 49-year-old freelancer marching toward Congress. “There’s no security from the state.”

Jeri, a right-wing former leader of Congress, became interim president following Boluarte’s removal and has promised to “declare war on organized crime.”

The demonstrations — called by youth groups, labor unions, artists, and feminist movements — also voiced outrage over past sexual assault accusations against Jeri. Prosecutors had closed the case in August due to insufficient evidence.

Peru has seen a surge in gang violence, with groups such as Los Pulpos and Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua carrying out extortion, kidnappings, and contract killings across the country.