Peru: Further anti-Fujimori and anti-Kuczynski protests likely /update 3

Event

Further protests to denounce the recent pardoning of former President Alberto Fujimori, as well as to demand current President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski resign, are to be anticipated in the coming days and weeks, notably in the cities of Lima and Cusco.

More than 15,000 people reportedly marched in Lima to protest the pardon on December 28, with smaller protests held in various other cities, including Trujillo, Piura, Chiclayo, Iquitos, Huancayo, Arequipa, Cusco, and Puno. Related protests on December 25 resulted in clashes between protesters and police, who used tear gas to disperse the crowds. Further violence during future protests, along with associated traffic disruptions, is possible.

Context

President Kuczynski pardoned Fujimori on December 24, sparking popular indignation. President Kuczynski, who himself is mired in a political scandal, stated that the decision to pardon Fujimori had been made due to the former leader's ailing health. Meanwhile, Kuczynski along with Fujimori’s daughter (and rival in the last presidential elections) Keiko Fujimori, were both questioned by prosecutors on December 28 regarding corruption accusations tied to the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht. President Kuczynski, who has been accused of accepting bribes from the conglomerate, recently survived an impeachment attempt by congress. Fujimori's son, Congressman Kenji Fujimori, was instrumental in voting down the motion to force Kuczynski out of office, prompting critics to denounce the move as a political exchange.

Alberto Fujimori - in office from 1990 to 2000 - was jailed in 2009 on a number of charges, including the authorization of death squads and corruption. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Advice

Individuals in Peru are advised to stay informed of the evolving sociopolitical climate in the coming weeks and to avoid all protests as a precaution.