Peru declares 30-day state of emergency amid protests at president’s arrest.

The government of Peru declared a nationwide state of emergency on Wednesday (14) as it sought to control widespread violence following the ouster last week of the country’s elected president, who had tried to dissolve Congress.

It was an extraordinary turn of events even in a country accustomed to political upheaval and protest.

The emergency measure, which was announced by Alberto Otárola, the country’s defense minister, suspended the rights of assembly and freedom of transit, among other civil liberties, for 30 days. It was signed into law Wednesday evening by the country’s new president, Dina Boluarte, and specified it would be enforced by the national police force with the support of the military. The decree did not impose a curfew.

The move is the most significant government response to a crisis that erupted last Wednesday when the president, Pedro Castillo, tried to disband Congress, which he had been feuding with since taking office last year.

Source: www.nytimes.com

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