SW News: Amid tear gas and smoke, thousands of demonstrators swarmed the capital of Peru, battling with police and calling for the immediate holding of elections, the dissolution of Congress, and the resignation of President Dina Boluarte.

Insisting that protests should be peaceful, President Boluarte is adamantly refusing to step down. The turmoil has already claimed more than 50 lives, making these turbulent weeks the worst in the nation's history going back more than 20 years.

On December 7, 2022, in what was essentially a coup attempt, then-President Pedro Castillo declared the Congress's temporary dissolution and the court's reorganization. In reaction, Castillo's dismissal was authorized by Congress, and vice president Boluarte took over as president.

The former president Castillo, the nation's first indigenous Head of State, hails from the Andean Region, where a large portion of the protesters has traveled.

He attempted to dissolve Congress last month but was ultimately impeached by it. He was detained and is currently being held in jail while defending himself against all of the conspiracy and rebellion charges. Three people have died during this most recent uprising outside of Lima, and the protests seem likely to continue.

Numerous protesters in the thousands flocked to the streets to demand early elections. On December 14, President Boluarte issued a proclamation of emergency that would last for 30 days, suspending some fundamental rights like the ability to associate freely, allowing warrantless searches, and deploying the military forces to "assist" the police in upholding public order.

Castillo was taken into custody by the police and accused of conspiracy and rebellion. A judge mandated 18 months of pre-trial imprisonment on December 16.

As of December 30, the Ombudsperson's Office claimed that 22 civilians had been killed and more than 600 protesters and police officers had been hurt. Three people have died during this most recent uprising outside of Lima, and the protests seem likely to continue.

Boluarte's resignation, the dissolution of Congress, and the holding of elections right away are the demands of the protesters. Boluarte wants them to take place next year. They were scheduled to happen in 2026. There is no evidence of a compromise or an opening of the lines of communication, and the atmosphere is tense and extremely volatile.