PERUVIAN PROTESTS
An Expert Analysis on the Use of Force in the Peruvian
Protests
S2309866
Security and the Rule of Law
Dr. Silvia D’Amato and Dr. Damien Van Puyvelde
Wordcount: 1438
, Executive summary
After former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo was ousted in early December 2022, Dina
Boluarte, his vice-president, became the new president of Peru. The majority of the public does not agree
with her presidency, and therefore went to the streets to protest. These protests were met with an arguably
disproportionate and unnecessary amount of force, which lead to even larger protests, eruptions of
violence and instability in the country.
The public does not see Boluarte’s presidency as legitimate and believe the congress is corrupt. Because
her government is seen as illegitimate, law enforcement turns to the use of force to obtain compliance.
This use of force is arguably disproportionate and unnecessary, and therefore violates human rights.
To appease the violence, new democratic elections should be held and a clear legal and operational
framework in accordance with human rights should be developed and committed to by law enforcement
to minimize victims.
Introduction
On January 10th, 2023, the New York Times published a news video titled “Deadly Protests
Over Ousted Former President Rock Peru” (The New York Times, 2023). The video shows a substantial
amount of violence: Protesters throwing rocks and smoke bombs, destroyed walls, wounded being
carried and policeman shooting with half-automatic weapons .
These violent demonstrations erupted shortly after former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo was ousted
in early December 2022 after a failed attempt to temporarily suspend congress in an effort to avoid
impeachment. His best ministers deserted him and denounced his coup. Dina Boluarte, his vice
president, was sworn in as his replacement. Boluarte is Peru’s seventh president in six years, which
illustrates the political instability in the country. Trust in the government has been lost, the public
believes the congress is filled with corrupt lobbyist and vested interests. The demonstrators demand
Boluarte to resign and appeal for new democratic elections. Boluarte responded to these demands with
hostile rhetoric and heavy use of force. At least 60 people have died in the upheaval (Coronel, 2023; van
Beest, 2022; Collyns, 2023).
The use of force by the state on its citizens under Boluarte’s administration arguably violates
International Human Rights, and it is critical to appease the violence as soon as possible before more
deaths occur (Amnesty International, 2022; Amnesty International, 2023; The Washington Office on
Latin America; 2023; Flores; 2023).
1
An Expert Analysis on the Use of Force in the Peruvian
Protests
S2309866
Security and the Rule of Law
Dr. Silvia D’Amato and Dr. Damien Van Puyvelde
Wordcount: 1438
, Executive summary
After former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo was ousted in early December 2022, Dina
Boluarte, his vice-president, became the new president of Peru. The majority of the public does not agree
with her presidency, and therefore went to the streets to protest. These protests were met with an arguably
disproportionate and unnecessary amount of force, which lead to even larger protests, eruptions of
violence and instability in the country.
The public does not see Boluarte’s presidency as legitimate and believe the congress is corrupt. Because
her government is seen as illegitimate, law enforcement turns to the use of force to obtain compliance.
This use of force is arguably disproportionate and unnecessary, and therefore violates human rights.
To appease the violence, new democratic elections should be held and a clear legal and operational
framework in accordance with human rights should be developed and committed to by law enforcement
to minimize victims.
Introduction
On January 10th, 2023, the New York Times published a news video titled “Deadly Protests
Over Ousted Former President Rock Peru” (The New York Times, 2023). The video shows a substantial
amount of violence: Protesters throwing rocks and smoke bombs, destroyed walls, wounded being
carried and policeman shooting with half-automatic weapons .
These violent demonstrations erupted shortly after former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo was ousted
in early December 2022 after a failed attempt to temporarily suspend congress in an effort to avoid
impeachment. His best ministers deserted him and denounced his coup. Dina Boluarte, his vice
president, was sworn in as his replacement. Boluarte is Peru’s seventh president in six years, which
illustrates the political instability in the country. Trust in the government has been lost, the public
believes the congress is filled with corrupt lobbyist and vested interests. The demonstrators demand
Boluarte to resign and appeal for new democratic elections. Boluarte responded to these demands with
hostile rhetoric and heavy use of force. At least 60 people have died in the upheaval (Coronel, 2023; van
Beest, 2022; Collyns, 2023).
The use of force by the state on its citizens under Boluarte’s administration arguably violates
International Human Rights, and it is critical to appease the violence as soon as possible before more
deaths occur (Amnesty International, 2022; Amnesty International, 2023; The Washington Office on
Latin America; 2023; Flores; 2023).
1
