Two killed in Peru as protests over Castillo’s arrest spread

At least two people have been killed in Peru after police clashed with protesters calling for new elections and the release of detained former President Pedro Castillo.

The deaths on Sunday came as protests against Castillo’s impeachment and arrest expanded across Peru, most notably in northern and Andean towns.

Castillo, a former school teacher and union leader, was removed from his post by legislators on Wednesday after he sought to dissolve Congress ahead of an impeachment vote. The former president was arrested shortly afterward, with prosecutors charging him with rebellion and conspiracy.

Dina Boluarte, a former prosecutor who had served as Castillo’s vice president, was quickly sworn in to replace him.

Protesters, many of them supporters of the detained former leader, have for days demanded that Peru hold elections rather than allow Boluarte to stay in power until Castillo’s term ends in 2026.

Some protesters have also called for Congress to be shut down.

On Sunday, protests were reported in cities across Peru’s interior, including Cajamarca, Arequipa, Huancayo, Cusco and Puno.

In Andahuaylas in the Apurimac region, clashes broke out as demonstrators attempted to storm the southern city’s airport, authorities said. Protesters fired slingshots and hurled stones while police responded with tear gas, images from the scene broadcast by local TV showed.

Agencies