Examining the Impact of Peru’s Proposed Early Election on Latin American Politics

We are deeply sad we write about the tragic unfolding situation in Peru the country where demonstrations have turned deadly as thousands of people have taken on the streets to demand the removal of President Manuela Boluarte and new elections to succeed her, as well as Congress. There have been protests as result of the increasing discontent of Boluarte’s government. There has been the erosion of democratic rights and the slow progress on crucial socio-economic issues including inequality and poverty. The latest events caused us to feel sorrow and send our condolences to the deaths of many people.

1. The reason why Boluarte choose to leave?

There has been much discussion from the recent resignation of Peru’s president Martin Vizcarra, who proposed shifting elections from April to 2024. The reason for this was the current unrest, protests, and demonstrations related to how the government handles the COVID-19 epidemic, in addition to other topics in the news that have raised concern. The President Vizcarra had become increasingly unpopular over the last few months because of his handling of the pandemic and the way he interacts with other political actors. His resignation was a result of a confidence vote held in Congress which opponents have described as”a “coup” because of his absence of legal proceedings.

2. Why did these protests become deadly?

Peru’s civil unrest has been an ongoing issue. The president Francisco Sagasti proposed that the elections be moved from June 2025 to April 2024 so that the citizens to have a faster solution. The ongoing protests and demonstrations which have been ongoing for many months have been mostly calm, but have recently turned deadly, as a result of the use by police forces of brutality and force to control the unrest. As the Peruvian citizens try to change government policy, this has resulted in an increased popular outrage.

3. How did Peru’s response to Boluarte’s resignation announcement?

The overall reaction of the public to Marta Lourdes Boluarte, Peruvian president, quitting in the backdrop of protests from the masses was one that was a relief. Many people wished for changes and cast their votes with hearts after it was announced that elections would be held in April to 2024. Announcements about an early election gave people the opportunity to express their frustration with the government and express their desire for new leadership. Although many were pleased with the idea of an early election, some were concerned about the potential consequences and feared that this would lead to more instability and unrest. Boluarte’s resignation was met with moderate confidence.

4. How have protests impacted national and government?

The protests in Peru that began in November of 2020, have affected the country in a profound way both the administration and the country overall. To address the protests, the Peruvian president has made an overhaul of the Constitution to push up the general elections to April 2024. This is two years earlier than was previously planned. This change is meant to shake up the ruling party and improve political stability. The reform also addresses protesters’ demands. Protests also caused a significant financial disruption to the nation. The estimated loss was of $6 billion lost to GDP as well as over 1 million lost jobs due to business interruptions.

A Brief Summary

The citizens of Peru have sent a strong message to the government of their country, expressing their displeasure with the government since the President Pedro Castillo was ousted. There are many who are demanding the immediate release of President Pedro Castillo. They’ve been staging peaceful protests over the past few months to express their frustration. They show no sign that they will stop anytime soon in which the citizens continue to call for change and improved representation. This situation in Peru is a stark reminder of our power to bring about positive change by peaceful protest when we come together with a unified sound.