Death toll rises to 22 in Peru amid growing political protests – By Simon Druker (UPI) / Dec 17, 2022
Dec. 17 (UPI) — The death toll from ongoing political protests in Peru has climbed to 22, officials said, as the country’s newly installed caretaker president, Dina Boluarte, refused calls to resign.
Two demonstrators died after clashing with police in central Peru on Friday, bringing the death toll to 22 amid widespread protests, authorities said.
Boluarte refused calls to resign, saying such a move will not stop the violence. The president said she would travel to protest-stricken areas and speak directly with demonstrators.
The violence led two of Boluarte’s ministers to resign on Friday. Education minister Patricia Correa and culture minister Jair Perez announced their resignations on Twitter. Both cited the escalating death count as the reason why.