Peru's New President Dina Boluarte Faces Genocide Probe Amid Deadly Protests

Peru's new president Dina Boluarte and key ministers are currently facing a genocide inquiry over weeks of protests and clashes that have left dozens of people dead.

According to BBC, Boluarte and other officials are being investigated by the country's top prosecutor on charges of "genocide, qualified homicide, and serious injuries."

The attorney general's office announced its decision to investigate Boluarte, Prime Minister Alberto Otarola, along with the defense and interior ministers on Tuesday.

A protester recently died, with at least 19 Peruvian police officers injured in the anti-government clashes in Cusco.

There were dozens injured in Juliaca during what was considered to be the most violent day so far. Many of the victims had gunshot wounds.

Authorities accused the protesters of trying to overturn Juliaca's airport and a local police station, which prompted officials to impose an overnight curfew in the region.

Widespread Protests in Peru

Around 47 people have been reported dead since protests started a month ago in Peru against Dina Boluarte's government.

Cusco health officials recorded 16 civilians and six police officers injured. It was reportedly during protesters' alleged attempts to take over the city airport.

Protests and road blockades were done against Boluarte as a show of support for ousted President Pedro Castillo.

The demonstrations started in early December after the arrest of Castillo. Peru's first president of poor was ousted after he attempted to dissolve Congress and head off his own impeachment.

The protests were mainly clamoring about the immediate conduct of elections, Boluarte's resignations, and Castillo's release.

Protesters also called for justice for the demonstrators killed in clashes with police.

Peru's Ombudsman's Office noted that 39 civilians had been killed in clashes with police, while another seven died in traffic accidents related to road blockades.

Relatives of the killed protesters clamored that democracy in Peru "is no longer a democracy." The marchers also yelled "murderers" when they passed a police station.

Peru's New President, Dina Boluarte

Dina Boluarte replaced Pedro Castillo in December. She was the country's former vice president.

Boluarte was born in the southern town of Chalhuanca and was the youngest of 14 children. She had first planned to study nursing in Cusco but decided that she wanted to take up law.

Boluarte worked for Peru's public records office for 17 years and started to launch her political career when she ran for the post of mayor of the district of Surquillo in Lima.

She unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2020 for the left-wing Peru Libre party. After a year, she became Castillo's vice-presidential running mate.

When Castillo was impeached and inaugurated as the new president, Boluarte called for a "political truce" to have national unity.

Peru's Congress is known to be combative and has a reputation for engaging in political infighting.

Castillo is being investigated on charges of rebellion and conspiracy, denying all accusations against him. He also insisted that he remains to be the country's "legitimate president."

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: What's Behind the Deadly Anti-Government Protests in Peru - From CBS News