On the afternoon of this Saturday, October 25, about 300 people participated in the so-called March for Peace, which started from Campo de Marte to the Paseo de los Héroes Navales. Although it was presented as a ‘citizen’ mobilization in support of the National Police, The activity was marked by the presence of former minister Dina Boluarte, Juan José Santiváñezwho seeks to reposition himself in the midst of his announced political launch.
During the mobilization, the distribution of books bearing Santiváñez’s name was observed, titled “Journalism, Public Relations, National Police,” with his photograph on the cover. The delivery of these materials reinforces the proselytizing nature of the event, which ended up serving as the former minister’s personal platform.
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Santiváñez left office with a historically low approval rating and has open investigations for alleged irregularities committed during his time at the Ministry of the Interior. His presence at the march, along with former police officers and conservative groups, was interpreted as an attempt to regain political prominence by appealing to the “order and peace” discourse promoted by the government of José Jerí.
In parallel, young people from Generation Z marched in Lima and regions to demand justice for Eduardo Ruiz Sanz ‘Trvko’, the young man murdered by the PNP non-commissioned officer, Luis Magellanin the National March last October 15. This demonstration takes place amid a strong police deployment, while the government insists on criminalizing the protest and exalting the role of the police as a symbol of authority.
The contrast between both marches was evident, because while the March for Peace sought to project support for the government and its law enforcement forces, the youth protests denounced impunity, state violence and growing authoritarianism.
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Juan José Santiváñez: “Acuña will win the elections”
From there, Santiváñez confirmed his candidacy with the Alliance for Progress party. Cesar Acuna and defended his presence, claiming that “nothing prevents him from applying.”
“I have received invitations from almost all the parties. I have finally decided to accept the invitation from Engineer Acuña and as I reiterate, I am in this march where I have come to walk for peace in support of the PNP. I have nothing that prevents me from running for the Senate, for my children’s school board or for the neighborhood of my neighborhood. I decide to go with the candidate who I believe is going to win the presidential elections,” he said for the press.
