Protesters Clash with Police in Peru, Burn US Flag
In Peru, anti-government demonstrators have engaged in confrontations with police as global leaders convene for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Activists voiced their dissent against President Dina Boluarte and the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, set to commence in Lima on Friday.
On Thursday, hundreds of Peruvians took to the streets of Lima, expressing their frustration with Boluarte’s administration and its failure to address organized crime. The protests unfolded as numerous world leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden, arrived in Peru for the APEC event.
This week, transport unions in Peru announced a 72-hour strike alongside calls for protests aimed at demanding stronger measures against the extortion of transport companies and the murders of drivers by organized crime groups. They were joined by the General Confederation of Workers of Peru, the country’s largest labor union.
Videos circulating online captured activists chanting against Boluarte’s government and its inadequacies in ensuring public safety. Following a previous wave of protests in September, Peruvian authorities had declared a 60-day state of emergency in Lima to combat the violence, though activists argued these measures were insufficient. They purposely aligned Thursday’s protests with the APEC forum to draw global attention to the issues facing Peru.
“We are being extorted every day, we are tired of it. Peru does not have a good international image, that is why we are here,” protested Madeleine Rojas told AFP.
“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,” said Walter Carrera, president of the National Association of Transporters, who participated in the demonstrations.
Additionally, protesters criticized Peru’s collaboration with APEC, arguing that the country does not reap benefits from its association with the group. Footage displayed activists burning US flags and holding signs that read “Get out, imperialist Yankees,” “APEC trash looters out,” and “APEC accomplices to dictatorship.”
Reports from local media indicated that demonstrators attempted to march toward the Lima Convention Center, the venue for the APEC forum, but faced police barricades. This confrontation resulted in violent clashes.
Despite the unrest, Peruvian authorities affirmed their commitment to proceed with APEC events as planned and have deployed a force of 13,000 police officers to ensure the forum's security.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
On Thursday, hundreds of Peruvians took to the streets of Lima, expressing their frustration with Boluarte’s administration and its failure to address organized crime. The protests unfolded as numerous world leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden, arrived in Peru for the APEC event.
This week, transport unions in Peru announced a 72-hour strike alongside calls for protests aimed at demanding stronger measures against the extortion of transport companies and the murders of drivers by organized crime groups. They were joined by the General Confederation of Workers of Peru, the country’s largest labor union.
Videos circulating online captured activists chanting against Boluarte’s government and its inadequacies in ensuring public safety. Following a previous wave of protests in September, Peruvian authorities had declared a 60-day state of emergency in Lima to combat the violence, though activists argued these measures were insufficient. They purposely aligned Thursday’s protests with the APEC forum to draw global attention to the issues facing Peru.
“We are being extorted every day, we are tired of it. Peru does not have a good international image, that is why we are here,” protested Madeleine Rojas told AFP.
“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,” said Walter Carrera, president of the National Association of Transporters, who participated in the demonstrations.
Additionally, protesters criticized Peru’s collaboration with APEC, arguing that the country does not reap benefits from its association with the group. Footage displayed activists burning US flags and holding signs that read “Get out, imperialist Yankees,” “APEC trash looters out,” and “APEC accomplices to dictatorship.”
Reports from local media indicated that demonstrators attempted to march toward the Lima Convention Center, the venue for the APEC forum, but faced police barricades. This confrontation resulted in violent clashes.
Despite the unrest, Peruvian authorities affirmed their commitment to proceed with APEC events as planned and have deployed a force of 13,000 police officers to ensure the forum's security.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
