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 in office, 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 said the protest had been infiltrated by criminals set on causing chaos and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the protester's death.
He wrote on X that he regretted the death of Eduardo Ruiz Sáenz, but did not give further details as to what caused it. Ruth Luque, a left-wing member of Congress, meanwhile said that preliminary information indicated the hip hop artist had been killed by a bullet wound to the chest. Local media quoted witnesses who said they saw the musician being shot by a man they accused of being a plainclothes police officer.
Jerí, who is part of the conservative Somos Perú party, has been in office for barely over a week but is already facing massive protests. Thousands are demanding a “clean slate” and calling for more measures against corruption and crime, including threats from gangs to public transport workers.
Young activists are urging the president to resign, claiming his party had previously supported Boluarte, who faced widespread unpopularity prior to her ouster. As the situation develops, many are closely watching how Jerí navigates this turbulent political landscape.
