Peruvian interim President Manuel Merino asked everyone to stay calm and maintain peace after thousands had staged protests at various locations across the country for days, following the ouster of former president Martin Vizcarra. 

Peru
(Photo : Reutersconnect/Sebastian Castaneda)
Demonstrators participate in protests following the impeachment of President Martin Vizcarra, in Lima, Peru.

According to a published report in Reuters, the protests started since the abrupt ouster of Vizcarra. Peru's Congress impeached Vizcarra on Nov. 9 over corruption allegations in awarding government contracts. The former president has denied the charges but agreed to resign.

Protests have escalated across the country on Thursday as Merino, the former speaker of Congress, swore in his new cabinet members, mostly technocrats. 

That caught the attention of some critics and said that Merino might be planning to run in 2021, and this could be the reason why Lima and other cities have broken up. 

Merino said after the swearing-in of his 18 cabinet members: "We respect those who have a dissenting opinion, but we call for calm and responsibility so that any political expression is given within the scope of tranquility and non-violence." 

Merino assumed the post as interim president on Tuesday. The political problem in Peru came as the country faced a global pandemic and worst economic impact.

Some of the Merino's appointees are no longer new in the government. He appointed the former Farms Secretary and Deputy Finance minister Jose Arista to his key economic portfolio. He also appointed Carlos Herrera as a powerful energy and mining ministry after already serving twice in the post.

While Merino made appointments to different sectors under his administration, he vowed not to make any traumatic change in the government.

He assured that the country would continue to function and respect the professional and technical work in all areas. However, it seems that thousands of Peruvians were not happy with the action of Congress.

Many people gathered and staged a protest to oppose Congress' decision. Dozens of demonstrators were detained after they clashed with police authorities. It was also reported that police authorities used tear gas, getting the attention of human rights organizations.

On Thursday, a protest erupted in the streets of Lima. Thousand of protesters carrying banners had banged pots to show their opposition against the new administration.

Rosario Mendoza, a teacher who joined thousands of demonstrators in the street protest said: "Enough of the corruption, that's why I'm here with my pot, shouting. Neither Congress nor the president who they have installed represents me."

The Human Rights Watch said that Vizcarra was impeached from his position, and his immediate removal has a consequence on the independence of the constitutional court and poses a serious threat to the rule of law in the country. 

The Organization of American States (OAS) also expressed concern on Wednesday over the "new political crisis in Peru," urging the country's Constitutional Court to weigh in. This was after the Human Rights Watch told them to immediately convene and monitor the situation.