Political crisis – After protests: interim president of Peru resigned – News

• In Peru, interim president Manuel Merino resigned after violent protests, killing two within days of taking office.
• Merino stated that his step was irrevocable. He had only taken office earlier this week.
• This is after his popular predecessor Martin Vizcarra was ousted from office by Congress.

On Sunday, numerous Peruvians flocked to the square to celebrate Merino’s retreat. It was initially unclear how things will continue politically in the country. The situation seems tense.

Resigned interim president Merino has called for peace and unity. Nothing justifies the death of the Peruvians in legitimate protests. However, groups that wanted to wreak havoc were also involved. Accidents should be investigated.

More violent protests

The massive protests occurred immediately after Merinos’ election and culminated in violence on Saturday. According to the Peruvian Ombudsman, the two dead were young men. According to state authorities, they were killed. A total of 102 people were injured, many of them with gunshot wounds. There are still 41 people missing. The country is in the midst of the corona pandemic
serious economic problems.

Neither Merino nor Congress President Luis Valdez have commented on who could become the new president. Merinos had presidential elections in
Outlook already foreseen for April. Merino’s predecessor, Martín Vizcarra, said Merino’s “illegal and illegitimate government” was responsible for the two demonstrators’ deaths.

Vizcarra had cracked down on corruption, a widespread crime in the country, during his tenure. This had repeatedly led to controversy in Congress. Then on Monday Vizcarra was forced to withdraw from Congress. The corruption allegations were cited as justification. Vizcarra denied the allegations.