Peru: Protests Grow Calling for President Pedro Castillo's Removal Over Corruption Charges; Police Clashed With Crowd

Anti-government protests in Peru continue to grow after thousands of protesters took to the streets on Saturday demanding the left-wing president Pedro Castillo's removal.

Voice of America News reported that Peru's capital, Lima, saw demonstrators marching toward Congress. Protesters were carrying Peru's flag and signs with anti-government slogans.

They were then faced with dozens of riot police releasing tear gas, halting their procession. As of now, there were no immediate reports of injuries.

Meanwhile, the leftist president has called the opposition as "reactionaries" and "the enemies of people."

Police launched several tear gas canisters in their efforts to disperse crowds. Authorities were wearing helmets and plastic shields.

Castillo's government is currently under investigation after several corruption charges against him.

The Peruvian president has already faced two impeachment attempts after he has been in office for a little more than a year.

Lawmakers are seeking to have Castillo in a third trial. However, it is widely acknowledged that there are likely insufficient votes to remove him from his position.

Protests in Peru

Peru currently faces a number of economic issues, including the skyrocketing costs of basic goods.

In addition, the country was disproportionately hit by COVID-19, with poverty levels projected to remain above pre-pandemic levels for the next two years, as forecasted by the World Bank.

One of the protesters told a media outlet that she was participating in the movement for the sake of her children and grandchildren as the "government is becoming hell."

Another one said that Peru "has stagnated," speaking economically.

One of the organizers of the march and a conservative lawyer, Lucas Ghersi, said that they see a government "involved in corruption and Congress doesn't react."

Protests have also erupted in various parts of the country such as in Arequipa, Chiclayo, Cusco, and Trujillo.

Peru's attorney general has filed a constitutional complaint against Castillo with Congress. Opposition lawmakers are expecting the complaint will result in Castillo's removal from office.

Peru's President Pedro Castillo and Corruption Charges Against Him

Peru's Attorney General Patricia Benavides filed in October a constitutional complaint, accusing Castillo of leading a criminal organization after finding evidence of influence-peddling and acts of collusion.

Castillo is already facing six investigations regarding issues such as graft and plagiarism.

The Public Prosecutor's Office ordered the arrest of five former Castillo advisers in October and a search of the offices and home of six members of Congress.

Two former Castillo ministers were also involved in the complaint, namely, Transportation and Communications minister Juan Silva Villegas, who is currently on the run and Housing, Construction, and Sanitation minister Geiner Alvarado Lopez.

It would require 66 votes out of 130 to suspend Castillo.

Meanwhile, Castillo flatly denied the accusations against him and those close to him in a press conference.

He suggested in a statement that he was willing to die for his people, saying that if his blood has to "flow in the streets for the benefit of the people, then so be it."

Before the marches, Castillo said that people are trying to break the country with disinformation and false accusations.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Peru’s President Castillo lifts Lima lockdown amid criticism - from Al Jazeera English