Lima protests escalate against Boluarte
Youth anger over pension reform and deep mistrust fuel violent clashes
Riot police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse young demonstrators in Lima as fresh protests against President Dina Boluarte continued, a week after earlier clashes that left police, protesters and journalists injured. The unrest began over a recent pension reform requiring all Peruvians aged 18 and over to join a pension provider, but quickly widened into a broader revolt driven by longstanding grievances including corruption scandals, economic insecurity, rising crime and unresolved accountability for dozens of protesters killed by security forces after Boluarte took office following former president Pedro Castillo's removal.
Thousands of mainly Generation Z marchers filled central streets, chanting “Boluarte out,” erecting makeshift barricades and throwing stones in confrontations with security forces near Plaza San Martín and surrounding areas. Police escorted groups of demonstrators away from key streets while deploying crowd-control weapons, and journalists reported chaotic scenes as tear gas clouds spread through the historic center. At least 18 people — a mix of protesters, officers and members of the press — were reported injured in the clashes.
The Boluarte government defended the pension reform as necessary for fiscal stability and condemned violent actions during the rallies, while human rights groups criticized the heavy-handed police response and warned that failure to engage with youth demands could further escalate unrest. Public frustration has been compounded by dismal approval ratings for both the president and Congress, reflecting a deep generational distrust of political elites. Observers say the protests, which began in Lima, risk spreading to regional cities and increasing pressure on Boluarte’s administration unless political dialogue or reforms are pursued.
