Peru extends state of emergency

Peru extended a state of
emergency for another 30 days along the country’s main roadways,
including a key mining corridor, as a new round of protests is
expected to kick off next week, the country’s prime minister
said on Wednesday.
Protests gripped Peru late last year after former President
Pedro Castillo was ousted and detained when he illegally
attempted to dissolve Congress. He remains jailed and his vice
president, Dina Boluarte, has served as president since his
removal.
Subsequent protests included weeks of highway blockades that
snarled important supply routes in the world’s no. 2 copper
producer.
Prime Minister Alberto Otarola said on Wednesday that the
state of emergency, which suspends certain rights, including the
freedom of movement, will help keep roads open as Peru
celebrates the independence holiday later this month.
The state of emergency will apply in Peru’s southern regions
of Apurimac, Cusco and Arequipa, which are home to a southern
mining corridor that will be placed under the control of the
army and police.
The mining corridor is key for transporting copper from some
of the country’s most important mines, including Las Bambas,
which is one of the world’s largest copper mines and is owned by
China’s MMG Ltd.
Leftist political groups and unions have announced the fresh
round of protests will start on July 19, with the intention to
march on the capital Lima. They are calling for Boluarte’s
resignation, the closure of Congress, a new constitution and
early elections.