Premier on the situation in Puno: "That those who are destroying the country be captured and prosecuted"

The Chief of Cabinet, Alberto Otarolaaccompanied by five ministers, gave a statement tonight after the unfortunate facts raised in the region of Fist, where the deaths of 17 people and dozens of injuries were confirmed. This in the midst of violent demonstrations between protesters and police officers.

As explained by the President of the Council of Ministers, the origin of these confrontations stem from the protesters’ attempt to once again take over the Juliaca airport.

“Today and five consecutive days ago a systematic attack of vandalism and violent organizations of the rule of law of the organizations, this attack had as its objective the seizure of the Juliaca airport to prevent the arrival of medicine, and the arrival of daily transport to this key location for the development of the south. More than 9,000 people approached the airport and 2,000 began an all-out attack against the Police, using weapons with a double charge of gunpowder, magic weapons, and hazelnuts,” Otárola said.

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“There have been deaths that we regret and that express the direct responsibility of those who want to carry out a coup. It is a hangover from the coup d’état in the country, those who wanted to overthrow all public institutions in the December 7, 2022 parade have gone one step further in this second call and have tried to subvert the institutional order”, he added.

In this sense, Otárola assured that alleged financing from illegal sources was identified for these demonstrations and mobilizations, which aim to cause chaos in various regions.

“More than 200 custers and vans financed with illegal money have been identified that have been mobilizing people to incite and give today’s fatal scenario”, he recounted.

“In four days they have tried to take over the airport as if we were in a state of war, to prevent the people of Puno from moving. That has not happened. The Police and the Armed Forces continue to control these assets. Faced with the deaths, we regret them and we once again call on the Prosecutor’s Office to accompany the crime prevention prosecutors to verify these unfortunate deaths that affect all Peruvians but, once and for all, capture and prosecute those who are destroying the country financed by foreigners and illicit money from drug trafficking”, he added.

“Here nobody is going to run. We are not going to let this riot reach Lima and we are going to defend the peace and tranquility of the 33 million Peruvians who are moved by how a group of violent elements intend to seize power”, he added.

On the other hand, he assured that 75 police officers were injured after the violent demonstrations on January 9, accusing, furthermore, that the origin of this conflict is the coup attempt by Pedro Castillo on December 7, 2022.

“Who was inciting the people? Who announced a coup? Who is improperly coordinating these mobilizations to seek impunity? The answer is in Barbadillo. They are responsible, not the policemen 75 seriously injured policemen and not the frightened citizens”

“The government is going to be firm. We are not going to give up on the purpose of restoring internal order, we are going to protect life and fundamental rights. We are not going to give up on the decisions we are making. The Cabinet is more united than ever. We are permanently coordinating with various institutions in these events. Tomorrow a high-level mission will go seeking dialogue, bringing medicine, the situation at this time forces us to have to take a series of humanitarian actions for the wounded”, he concluded.