Protesters Burn US Flags in Peru
In Peru, anti-government demonstrators engaged in confrontations with police as global leaders gathered for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Activists in Lima have voiced their opposition to President Dina Boluarte and the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, set to commence on Friday in the capital.
On Thursday, anti-government protesters burned US flags as a demonstration against Boluarte and Peru’s role in hosting the APEC event. This unrest occurred simultaneously with the arrival of notable world leaders, including American President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping.
Videos circulating online captured activists setting American flags ablaze while passionately chanting slogans like “Get out, imperialist Yankees.” Demonstrators displayed banners with messages such as “APEC trash looters out” and “APEC accomplices to dictatorship,” signifying widespread dissatisfaction with Peru’s economic connections to global powers.
Protesters contend that these international alliances primarily benefit the elite while worsening issues of inequality and crime. “We are being extorted every day, we are tired of it,” protester Madeleine Rojas told AFP. “Peru does not have a good international image; that is why we are here.”
The demonstrations were sparked by a strike initiated by transport unions calling for more robust action against organized crime. The General Confederation of Workers of Peru, the largest labor union in the nation, also joined the strike, enhancing calls for improved public security measures.
Walter Carrera, president of the National Association of Transporters, expressed concern over the worsening crisis, stating, “We want the international community to know that they are killing us. There is no policy to fight organized crime and public insecurity head-on.”
Protesters sought to march toward the Lima Convention Center, the venue for the APEC meetings, but were confronted by a substantial police presence. Clashes broke out as law enforcement prevented demonstrators from approaching the site.
In anticipation of potential unrest, authorities deployed 13,000 police officers to secure the forum.
Critics of Boluarte’s administration argued that Thursday’s protests were a deliberate effort to garner international attention. “We want leaders like Biden and Xi to know what is really happening here,” one protester stated.
Despite the ongoing unrest, the Peruvian government has asserted that the APEC summit will continue as scheduled.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
On Thursday, anti-government protesters burned US flags as a demonstration against Boluarte and Peru’s role in hosting the APEC event. This unrest occurred simultaneously with the arrival of notable world leaders, including American President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping.
Videos circulating online captured activists setting American flags ablaze while passionately chanting slogans like “Get out, imperialist Yankees.” Demonstrators displayed banners with messages such as “APEC trash looters out” and “APEC accomplices to dictatorship,” signifying widespread dissatisfaction with Peru’s economic connections to global powers.
Protesters contend that these international alliances primarily benefit the elite while worsening issues of inequality and crime. “We are being extorted every day, we are tired of it,” protester Madeleine Rojas told AFP. “Peru does not have a good international image; that is why we are here.”
The demonstrations were sparked by a strike initiated by transport unions calling for more robust action against organized crime. The General Confederation of Workers of Peru, the largest labor union in the nation, also joined the strike, enhancing calls for improved public security measures.
Walter Carrera, president of the National Association of Transporters, expressed concern over the worsening crisis, stating, “We want the international community to know that they are killing us. There is no policy to fight organized crime and public insecurity head-on.”
Protesters sought to march toward the Lima Convention Center, the venue for the APEC meetings, but were confronted by a substantial police presence. Clashes broke out as law enforcement prevented demonstrators from approaching the site.
In anticipation of potential unrest, authorities deployed 13,000 police officers to secure the forum.
Critics of Boluarte’s administration argued that Thursday’s protests were a deliberate effort to garner international attention. “We want leaders like Biden and Xi to know what is really happening here,” one protester stated.
Despite the ongoing unrest, the Peruvian government has asserted that the APEC summit will continue as scheduled.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
