In Juliaca thousands of people paid tribute to the dead by carrying coffins through the streets before their burial with victims’ faces, flowers, Peruvian flags and banners blaming the new government for the violence.
“The bloodshed will never be forgotten,” shouted some people carrying black flags in the region bordering Bolivia, which has been a focus of recent protests.
The violence, a severe test for Peru’s democracy, is the worst conflict since the late 1990s when the country was gripped by violence between the rebel group Shining Path and the state, with 69,000 people killed or missing in two decades. they were finished.
In 2009, 33 Peruvians were killed in protests after indigenous groups clashed with police in the northern jungle region during the government of former President Alan García.
Demonstrators are demanding the resignation of new President Dina Boluarte, quick general elections, a new constitution and the release of Castillo, who was ousted and arrested for “insurrection” after trying to shut down Congress illegally. was done.