Death toll in protests in Peru exceeds 20

Demonstrators demand the release of Pedro Castillo, the closure of Congress and new elections. Parliamentarians reject the new president’s proposal to advance the election. The protests that broke out in Peru after the removal of President Pedro Castillo have already left at least 22 dead and dozens injured, according to data released by the Peruvian Ministry of Health this Friday (12/16).

The Peruvian Health Ministry detailed that, of the total deaths, eight happened in the department of Ayacucho, six in Apurímac, three in La Libertad, one in Cusco, three in Junín and another in Arequipa. So far, the identities of all the victims have not been released, but at least three of them were minors.

The ministry also disclosed that 63 holidays remain hospitalized after the protests that took place in various parts of the country.