Peru ends Lima curfew aimed at quelling protests [Photos]

KATHMANDU: APRIL. 7 – Peruvian President Pedro Castillo lifted a curfew order on Tuesday afternoon, following widespread defiance on the streets in response to rising fuel and fertilizer prices caused by the Ukraine conflict.

“I must announce that we are canceling the curfew order effective immediately,” Castillo said during a meeting with Congress. “We now appeal to the Peruvian people to remain calm.”

Castillo issued an unexpected curfew mandate minutes before midnight on Monday, ordering Lima residents to stay at home between 2 a.m. (07:00 GMT) and 11:59 p.m. (05:00 GMT Tuesday) in an effort to quell nationwide protests against rising prices.

The curfew, however, triggered a new crisis for the Castillo administration, with thousands taking to the streets to defy the curfew. He lifted the curfew shortly after 5 p.m. (22:00 GMT).

The new protests on Tuesday exacerbated a broader crisis in Peru that began a week ago due to rising inflation, which rattled Castillo just days after he survived an impeachment trial.

Western sanctions against Russia have reduced the supply of oil and fertilizers, harming vulnerable emerging economies such as Peru. Peru, like many other countries, was experiencing high inflation before the war began, but the conflict has accelerated a rise in the price of food, fuel, and other necessities. In March, Peru’s inflation rate of 1.48 percent was the highest in 26 years.

Castillo rose to power last year with overwhelming support from Peru’s rural population. Nonetheless, rising prices have prompted that same group to stage the most significant protests of his presidency thus far.

Castillo’s popularity has dwindled rapidly, and he now has a 25 percent approval rating. In his eight-month presidency, he has survived two impeachment attempts and gone through an unprecedented number of cabinet members.

Many Limenos, as the capital’s residents are known, were taken aback by the lockdown order and took to the streets to protest what they saw as a violation of their civil liberties.

The government has stated repeatedly, without providing evidence, that the curfew was necessary to prevent looting.

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Source: Aljazeera