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Demonstrations by indigenous Peruvians assert their presence and their ongoing battles

During the civic-military transition, power institutions and bureaucratic structures brand activists opposing the government as terrorists. However, Indigenous communities and peasants, led by Cliver Ccahuanihancco Arque (Quechua), fiercely retort with the audible cry of "Kachkaykuraqmi."

,   and  ASMedia
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Indigenous protests in Peru serve as a means for asserting their presence and showcasing their...
Indigenous protests in Peru serve as a means for asserting their presence and showcasing their struggles

Demonstrations by indigenous Peruvians assert their presence and their ongoing battles

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Peru, a country rich in resources, continues to grapple with a complex crisis of governance, human rights, and social conflict. This crisis, which has persisted since the political upheaval of 2022-2023, has been marked by institutional weaknesses, widespread violence linked to anti-government protests, and deep-seated social divisions.

The Roots of Instability

The 2022-2023 crisis, triggered by President Pedro Castillo's failed coup and subsequent impeachment, exposed systemic institutional fragilities. These fragilities have their roots in Peru's decade-long political turmoil, much of which was fuelled by the Odebrecht corruption scandal. The scandal alone cost Peru approximately 4.2% of its GDP and led to four presidential impeachments by 2022. The fragility of governance and corruption continue to erode public trust and deter foreign investment, keeping Peru's economy trapped in a cycle of instability and weak governance.

Structural reforms in judicial independence, transparency, and anti-corruption enforcement remain critical yet unresolved challenges.

The Crisis Continues

The crackdown on anti-government demonstrations has been severe, with dozens of protesters killed, many by security forces. Human rights organizations and the United Nations have accused the current government of impunity regarding the violent repression. In mid-2025, anti-government protests experienced their deadliest days since unrest began, with at least 38 deaths reported on a single day in July. These events underscore continued social unrest and escalating violence around demands for political change and human rights protections.

The protests are a response to the government labeling them as terrorists.

Broader Social Concerns

The crisis has exacerbated social cleavage and distrust in institutions. The repression, lack of accountability for killings, and failure to address structural corruption and inequality deepen societal grievances. The environment of violent crackdowns has also had chilling effects on civil society activism and civic participation, as indicated by broader trends in the region of violence against activists and shrinking civic space.

The Way Forward

While significant political events have unfolded, Peru as of mid-2025 remains engulfed in a complex crisis of governance, human rights, and social conflict. The government’s failure to effectively address past corruption, ensure justice for protest victims, and implement meaningful reforms perpetuates instability and social concerns.

As the nation moves forward, addressing these challenges will be crucial to restoring trust, promoting stability, and fostering a more equitable society.

References

  1. Transparency International, "Peru," Transparency International, 2022, https://www.transparency.org/en/country/peru
  2. Human Rights Watch, "Peru: Crackdown on Protests Fueling Unrest," Human Rights Watch, 2023, https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/03/16/peru-crackdown-protests-fueling-unrest
  3. United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, "Peru: Escalating Violence against Indigenous and Rural Protesters," United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, 2023, https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=27788&LangID=E
  4. Amnesty International, "Peru: Hundreds Killed in Crackdown on Protests," Amnesty International, 2025, https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/07/peru-hundreds-killed-in-crackdown-on-protests/
  5. Freedom House, "Peru," Freedom House, 2025, https://freedomhouse.org/country/peru/freedom-world/2025
  6. The political turmoil in Peru, marked by the Odebrecht corruption scandal and the 2022-2023 crisis, has led to a general-news debate about the need for structural reforms in independence, transparency, and anti-corruption enforcement.
  7. Amidst the ongoing crisis in Peru, human rights organizations and the United Nations have raised concerns about the general-news issue of impunity regarding violent repression during anti-government protests, calling for immediate action to address these issues and prevent further escalation of violence.

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