.@Guardian ::: #Peru’s week of PROTESTS – in pictures

Peru’s capital is reeling from an intense week of #pro_democracy #protests marked by accusations of #police #brutality. The #impeachment of former president #Martín_Vizcarra unleashed nationwide demonstrations and what analysts have called Peru’s worst #political #crisis in more than a decade.

Two protesters have been killed in massive pro-democracy demonstrations in Peru, the first deaths in nearly a week of unrest over the controversial removal of Martín Vizcarra as president and his replacement by a de facto government, seen by many Peruvians as a coup.

Protests have mounted demanding the resignation of Manuel Merino, the former speaker of congress who was sworn in as president on Tuesday, with tens of thousands of people filling the streets of Lima and dozens of towns and cities.

Jorge Amoros, the manager of Lima’s Guillermo Almenara hospital, confirmed on Saturday that one of the dead had apparently been shot at close range with a police firearm.Peru’s new president accused of coup after ousting of predecessorRead more

“He had multiple wounds in the upper third of the thorax, face and neck, apparently from buckshot,” Amoros confirmed.

A second male deceased was also reported to have died from wounds caused by a firearm.

Police detained at least 30 protesters on Saturday amid multiple reports of heavy-handed repression against largely peaceful demonstrators. The health ministry reported that more than 30 people were being treated for injuries.

Images from the massive protests on Saturday showed tanks, hundreds of riot police and clouds of teargas being used against protesters, as well as helicopters flying overhead in downtown Lima.

“There was irrational, abusive use of force in Lima. I demand that the president of the republic shows his face and gives explanations to the country,” said Peru’s human rights ombudsman, Walter Gutiérrez.

Demonstrators protest outside Congress on 16 November in the capital, Lima, after the election of Francisco Sagasti as the new interim president
Photograph: Aldair Mejia/EPA

A band plays after Sagasti’s election on 16 November
Photograph: Sebastian Castaneda/Reuters

Crowds gather in San Martin Square on 16 November. Lawmakers chose Sagasti to become the nation’s third president in the space of a week after they ousted Martín Vizcarra and the subsequent protests forced his successor, Manuel Merino, to resign.
Photograph: Rodrigo Abd/AP

People gather on 15 November to celebrate after the resignation of Merino.
Photograph: Mariana Bazo/ZUMA Wire/Rex/Shutterstock

People dance in the streets after Merino’s resignation on 15 November
Photograph: Martín Mejía/AP

Protesters celebrate Merino’s resignation on 15 November
Photograph: Paolo Aguilar/EPA

A memorial for a protester is displayed as part of a vigil after Merino’s resignation on 15 November Photograph: Getty Images

Tributes are laid at the place where university students Inti Sotelo and Jack Pintado died
during protests on 14 November
Photograph: Paolo Aguilar/EPA

Performers do the scissor dance during the wake for Sotelo
Photograph: Rodrigo Abd/AP

People take part in a protest against Merino’s new government in San Martin Square on 14 November Photograph: Cristian Olea/EPA

Demonstrators at a massive protest march against the new government on 14 November
Photograph: Paolo Aguilar/EPA

Police try to disperse demonstrators on 14 November
Photograph: Cristian Olea/EPA

Supporters of the Vizcarra, the ousted president, demonstrate against Merino’s
new government on 14 November
Photograph: Ernesto Benavides/AFP/Getty Images

Demonstrators carry a huge flag at the protest march against Merino’s new government on 14 November Photograph: Cristian Olea/EPA

Riot police clash with Vizcarra’s supporters on November 14
Photograph: Ernesto Benavides/AFP/Getty Images

A man dressed as a zombie wearing a presidential sash demonstrates in San Martin Square on 14 November Photograph: Rodrigo Abd/AP

Demonstrators confront riot police during a protest against Merino’s new government following the impeachment and removal of Vizcarra on 12 November
Photograph: Ernesto Benavides/AFP/Getty

A man dressed as the Inca Pachacutec marches against Vizcarra’s removal on 12 November
Photograph: Martín Mejía/AP

A riot policeman fires teargas canister at demonstrators as people march to the government palace to protest against Merino on 10 November
Photograph: Aldair Mejia/EPA

Peru’s week of protests – in pictures
https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2020/nov/17/peru-week-of-protests-in-pictures
Tue 17 Nov 2020