Boluarte pushes for early poll to staunch protests

President Dina Boluarte made a renewed appeal for congress to hold early elections as a way to end weeks of deadly protests, warning that otherwise she would seek constitutional reform to make a vote happen.

There have been protests almost daily since 7 December, when Pedro Castillo, who was then president, was arrested after attempting to dissolve congress and rule by decree. At least 48 people have been killed in clashes between security forces and protesters, according to the ombudsman’s office.

Elections due in 2026 were moved last month to April 2024.