Clashes between anti-government protesters and riot police in the Peruvian capital, Lima, have left a 32-year-old man dead and more than 100 people injured, including many police officers.
The protests come less than a week after José Jerí was sworn in as the interim president following the impeachment of his predecessor, Dina Boluarte.
Wednesday's demonstrations were organised by mainly young Peruvians who demand that the country's political class do more to combat high levels of crime and corruption.
President Jerí stated that the protest had been infiltrated by criminals intent on causing chaos and has opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the protester's death.
He expressed regret over the death of Eduardo Ruiz Sáenz and pledged to uncover the facts surrounding the incident.
Ruth Luque, a left-wing congresswoman, suggested that early reports indicate Ruiz was killed by a gunshot wound to the chest, possibly from a plainclothes police officer, according to local testimonies.
Following the unrest, Jerí is under pressure from demonstrators who are calling for action against corruption and crime, particularly concerning extortion threats faced by local transport workers.
Jerí, representing the conservative Somos Perú party, assumed office amidst significant political instability in Peru, being the seventh president in just eight years, and faces immediate demands for governmental reform.
The situation reflects a broader discontent with the political elite, igniting protests that have spread across major cities, calling for a clean slate and urgent reforms.
As tensions escalate, the aftermath of this violent protest could reshape the political landscape and public sentiment toward the new administration and its ability to address pressing societal issues.
