Massive resignation of ministers in Peru after confirming two deaths in protests against new president

A barrage of resignations from the Peruvian government cabinet came on Saturday evening after it was confirmed that two young men were killed on the second national day of protests against the new president, Manuel Merino.

So far, the resignations of 13 ministers out of the 18 appointed two days ago: Fernando Hurtado (Agriculture); Federico Tong (development and social inclusion); Fernando D’Alessio (Education); Carlos Herrera Descalzi (energy and mining); Patricia Teullet (Women and vulnerable populations); Mara Seminario (foreign trade and tourism); Abel Salinas (Health); Hilda Sandoval (housing, construction and sanitation); María del Carmen de Reparaz (Culture); Delia Muñoz (Justice); Gastón Rodríguez (interior); Walter Chávez Cruz (Defense) and José Arista (economy and finance).

Meanwhile, the head of the Council of Ministers, Antero Flores Aráoz, assured the RPP media that I was not aware of the resignations and that he also didn’t know if Merino was going to leave his post.

“I have loyalty to the President of the Republic, if the President of the Republic leaves of course I will go with him, but I owe the President of the Republic respect, consideration and loyalty, I cannot leave him alone “, he said.

Meanwhile, in the streets of different cities in Peru thousands of demonstrators are pushing for the exit of Merino. In Lima, there were clashes with the security forces and on Saturday evening two deaths were recorded.

The first to be confirmed is that of a 25-year-old man who died before arriving at hospital from a gunshot wound to the head. Shortly after, it was learned that another 24-year-old had been shot in the chest.

In addition, they reported dozens of injured in the emergency hospitals of Grau and Guillermo Almenara.

In this regard, Amnesty International has denounced in recent hours that there have been “episodes” of “excessive and unnecessary use” of force by the Peruvian National Police during the protests.

In this context, Congress President Luis Valdez said that this Sunday at 8 a.m. (local time) there will be a meeting of Parliament spokespersons. ask Merino to resign, who assumed the presidency last Tuesday after the dismissal of Martín Vizcarra.

“These events cannot be out of the hands of the authorities, we ask for peace of mind. Tomorrow (Sunday) the political forces of the Office of Spokespersons will have to adopt the measure which is nothing more than the succession of this mandate which must end this crisis, ”Valdez told Channel N of Peru.

On the other hand, several political leaders They rose up against the violence and demanded the president’s resignation.

Vizcarra, recently sacked, said on his Twitter account: “The country will not allow the deaths of these brave young people to go unpunished.”

Ollanta Humala, another former president, said: “An unsustainable government. The crackdown must end. The president and ministers must resign tonight. My condolences to the families of the victims.”

Jorge Muñoz, Mayor of Lima, also spoke on social media: “I deeply regret the death of a young Peruvian during today’s protest. Mr. Manuel Merino, resign now! Listen to the Peruvians!”