Peruvian protests (2022–2023)

Following the ousting of president of Peru, Pedro Castillo on 7 December 2022, a series of political protests against the government of president Dina Boluarte and the Congress of Peru occurred. The demonstrations lack centralized leadership and originated primarily among grassroots movements and social organizations on the left to far-left, as well as indigenous communities, who feel politically disenfranchised. Castillo was removed from office and arrested after announcing the dissolution of Congress, the intervention of the state apparatus, and the establishment of an "emergency government", which was characterized as a self-coup attempt by some media organizations and institutions in Peru while Castillo's supporters said that Congress attempted to overthrow Castillo. Castillo's successor Dina Boluarte, along with Congress, were widely disapproved, with the two receiving the lowest approval ratings among public offices in the Americas. Among the main demands of the demonstrators are the dissolution of Congress, the resignation of Boluarte, new general elections, the release of Castillo, and the formation of a constituent assembly to draft a new constitution. It has also been reported that some of the protesters have declared an insurgency. Analysts, businesses, and voters said that immediate elections are necessary to prevent future unrest, although many establishment political parties have little public support.

The Boluarte government would respond to protests by calling the protests a "threat to democracy" and announcing a national state of emergency on 14 December, suspending some constitutional rights of citizens, including the right preventing troops from staying within private homes and buildings, the right to freedom of movement, the right to freedom of assembly, and the right to "personal freedom and security" for 30 days. The Armed Forces and Police have been documented using severe force against the protesters, resulting in at least 60 deaths, over 600 injuries, over 380 arrests and two massacres in Ayacucho and Juliaca. The extrajudicial executions, use of torture and violence against detainees has also been reported. The government would deny that authorities acted violently and would instead praise officers and troops for their actions. Right-wing groups and the Boluarte government would instead use the terruqueo fear mongering tactic to label some of the protesters as terrorists; a practice that dates back to the internal conflict in Peru and has been condemned by United Nations experts. United Nations Special Rapporteur Clément Nyaletsossi Voule said that there was no evidence that terrorist groups were involved in the protests. Terruqueos by government officials provided impunity to authorities and increased the risk of violence. Human rights organizations have criticized the response of the Boluarte government and authorities as well as the government's inclusion of the Armed Forces in responding to the protests due to the history of troops killing protesters with impunity. Multiple ministers resigned from Boluarte's cabinet throughout the series of protests following acts of violence perpetrated by authorities. The Attorney general of Peru, Patricia Benavides, announced investigations on 10 January 2023 for the alleged crimes of genocide, aggravated homicide, and serious injuries against President Dina Boluarte, Prime Minister Alberto Otárola, Minister of the Interior Víctor Rojas, and Minister of Defense Jorge Chávez.

Coverage of the protests by the media in Peru was also criticized by the majority of Peruvians, who believed that media organizations held a bias against demonstrations. The two massacres that authorities perpetrated against the majority-indigenous populations in southern Peru did not receive coverage by national media. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights would condemn violent acts carried out by some demonstrators against media personnel. Violent far-right protesters, such as the neofascist La Resistencia Dios, Patria y Familia, would also attack investigative media outlets critical of the government.

Fujimorism would ultimately consolidate governmental power into Congress with the assistance of the Constitutional Court of Peru. The majority of Peruvian institutions, including all branches of government and the media, adopted authoritarian practices during the protests. The politicization of the armed forces also raised concerns about a developing civilian-military government in Peru. Congress, with one-third of its members belonging to a far-right bloc, would reject all attempts of reform, including the advancing of general elections, constitutional proposals and motions to impeach Boluarte. On 9 March 2023, the state of emergency in Lima was lifted as protests waned, while the Supreme Court of Peru would further rule on 18 May 2023 that protesting in Peru was illegal and that it was not protected by the constitution. Calls for future protests in July 2023 were made amidst the controversial verdict of the Supreme Court.