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Protest in Peru - 8th February 2023

In Peru, there are major protests, the worst in 20 years. The protests started after President Pedro Castillo was put in prison on 7th December. He was arrested because he tried to take total control of the government.

Castillo grew up in a poor family who were farmers. During the elections, he had a lot of support from the indigenous people and the poor. But these people are now upset with the government.

Fernando Condori wants a better government.

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."

Indigenous people in Peru are angry with the government. Kevin Huatta's asking for new laws that support indigenous communities.

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 was Castillo's vice president, but now she's president. She wants the people to choose the next government in a new election. But protestors want her to resign now. They say she's responsible for many deaths during the protests.

Luz Helena Guarnez is a doctor who's working 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."

There have been 6 presidents in Peru in 5 years. Now, people are asking for a complete change of government and for new laws.