Peru: President Pedro Castillo Lifts Curfew Imposed After Protests Erupted Over Rising Fuel and Fertilizer Prices

Peru President Pedro Castillo on Tuesday lifted a ban on the curfew he imposed late Monday after protests erupted in the country's capital, Lima, over rising prices of fuel and fertilizer.

"I must announce that from this moment on we are going to cancel the curfew order," Castillo said while in a meeting with the country's Congress, according to Reuters.

The president then urged the people of Peru to calm down.

The Guardian noted that the curfew in Lima, Peru was announced by President Castillo before midnight on Monday. The said curfew was supposed to run from 2 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday.

However, Castillo canceled the curfew at around 5 p.m. on Tuesday, after thousands of people from Lima defied his mandate and still went on the streets after the mandate became active, per Reuters.

Castillo canceled the curfew he imposed alongside Congress President Maria Alva, according to Al Jazeera.

Peru's Castillo Cites Violent Acts of Demonstrators on Protests

President Pedro Castillo noted that the curfew he imposed in Lima, Peru on Monday was a response to the "violent acts" certain groups created by blocking the free transit in the city, specifically the roads that lead in and out of Lima, according to The Guardian.

In a separate report, Al Jazeera mentioned that farmers and truckers reportedly blocked some main highways to Lima, leading to a sudden surge in food prices. Meanwhile, people from the city of Ica burned toll booths and clashed with the Peruvian police.

The president also underscored that the measure would protect the fundamental rights of the people.

The outlet said that the curfew exempted essential services, including pharmacies, food markets, and rubbish collections.

However, there was no bus service in the area, stirring frustrations among the working-class Peruvians.

Juan Gutierrez, a commuter who works in a clothing workshop, told Al Jazeera on Tuesday that he has been waiting for a bus for more than an hour to get to his workplace.

"Do you know what it means to lose a day? We have to work to eat," Gutierrez said.

Reports also noted that protests have also become violent, citing at least four people reportedly killed amid the demonstrations.

What Is Behind the Protests in Peru?

The curfew imposed by President Pedro Castillo came as the protests in Peru came to its second week.

According to reports, the Peruvian government was not able to bring the prices down after Russia invaded Ukraine, causing a spike in prices of energy, food, and fertilizer prices across the globe.

Reuters mentioned that Western sanctions on Russia have cut the supply of oil and fertilizers, affecting the economies of other countries like Peru.

The Guardian noted that Peru issued an emergency declaration for its agricultural sector over rising fertilizer prices.

Peru is known to import 1.2 million tons of fertilizer a year, and Russia is one of the major exporters of soil nutrients.

Before the conflict between Russia and Ukraine happened, Peru is already experiencing a high inflation rate. However, Reuters mentioned that the war between the two countries accelerated a surge in food, fuel, and other essential items.

In March, Peru recorded an inflation rate of 1.48 percent, the highest the country experienced in 26 years.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Peruvian Protesters Block Highways, Clash With Police Over Rising Fuel Price - From CGTN