Peru intends to declare a state of emergency and the interim president refuses to step down news

The government in Peru announced its intention to declare a state of emergency following the killing of one person and the injury of dozens in widespread protests against the spread of crime, while the new interim president refused to step down from his position.

The head of the transitional government, Ernesto Alvarez, told reporters yesterday, Thursday, after a cabinet meeting, that a state of emergency will be declared in Greater Lima at least.

Yesterday, thousands of people demonstrated again in the capital, Lima, in Arecopia (south) and Cusco and Puno (southeast), in protest against the unprecedented increase in murders and extortion crimes attributed to organized crime gangs.

During a massive demonstration organized by the “Generation Z” youth movement in the capital, Lima, on Wednesday evening, a demonstrator was shot dead, and the police chief confirmed that a policeman opened fire after he was attacked by protesters.

President Jose Khaire, who assumed the country’s presidency a week ago after the removal of President Dina Boluarte, expressed his regret over the killing of the demonstrator, and the authorities promised to investigate the death.

The authorities said that about 100 people, including 80 policemen and 10 journalists, were injured in the recent confrontations.

A month ago, Peru witnessed increasing protests against corruption, deteriorating economic conditions, and the spread of crime, and the Generation Z youth movement joined the protests.

The protests began to demand better pensions and wages for young people, and have expanded to include the problems of Peruvians fed up with crime, corruption and decades of disillusionment with their government.

No to stepping down

Meanwhile, interim President Jose Khairi (38 years old) announced yesterday his rejection of protesters’ demands for him to step down following the killing of a demonstrator in the capital, Lima.

Khairy said after his visit to Parliament that he would request powers to combat crime, adding that his responsibility was to maintain the stability of the country.

He stressed that combating crime would be his top priority, and he also said that reforms would include the prison sector.

Recently, Khairy faced accusations of involvement in cases, some of which were related to corruption, but he denied them.

The interim president, who was Speaker of Parliament representing the center-right Somos Peru party, will assume the country’s interim presidency until July 26, 2026, with general elections being held in April of the same year.

Last week, the Peruvian parliament impeached the country’s president, Dina Boluarte, who refused to appear before Congress (the Senate) during a hearing.

For years, Peru has been witnessing the worst period of political turmoil in its modern history, as the country has known 6 presidents in nearly 9 years.