Peru’s capital witnessed a day of crowded protest marches.

The columns of demonstrators came from the northern side of the vast capital, and advanced under the supervision of the police, whose mission, according to the official account, was to provide security for the demonstrators and avoid incidents.

Artisanal fishermen from the municipality of Ancon, affected by the oil spill by the Spanish transnational company Repsol in January 2022, and elsewhere, took part in a march for residents of the poorest areas of the municipality of Caraballo.

Fishermen’s associations, traders and others were affected by the spill of more than 11,000 barrels of crude oil from the Spanish company, which, according to official assessments, permanently destroyed the ecosystem and marine animals.

They are calling on the government to intervene in the problem and for Repsol to fully comply with the rehabilitation and compensation programme for the affected communities.

Carabaillo residents protested the delay in bidding for drinking water works, a vital service they lack.

Deputy Minister of Construction and Sanitation, Christian Barrantes, stated that the bidding process was delayed by only one week and the competition will be announced soon and 95,000 residents of the area will finally have water and sanitation.

Meanwhile, social organizations in the southern Andean region of Puno — the epicenter of protests against Boluarte’s rise to the presidency — are planning marches against the government and parliament in the last week of July.

In turn, the General Union of Workers and other national organizations are preparing for a national strike with an opposition and protest content on July 19.

The Association of Regional Movements has announced nationwide marches against a reform approved by the unpopular legislature that would prevent these organizations from participating in regional and municipal elections, where they receive the most votes.

In this context, President Boluarte said, on the occasion of the anniversary of the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit, that her government ensures peace and social tranquility and intends to “eliminate terrorism.”

rgh/mrs