Thousands demonstrate in Peru to demand the resignation of leftist President Castillo

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LIMA — Thousands of people took to the streets of Peru on Saturday to demand the resignation of embattled President Pedro Castillo, a leftist whose government is under investigation for corruption.

Carrying the vertically striped red-white-red flag of the Andean nation and placards with anti-government slogans, protesters marched towards the opposition-dominated Congress in the capital Lima.

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Castillo called those who oppose his government « reactionary » and « enemies of the people. »

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Police equipped with helmets and plastic shields threw several tear gas canisters in an attempt to disperse the crowd. No injuries were reported immediately.

Castillo, who took office last July, has already survived two impeachment attempts. Opposition lawmakers are calling for a new trial against the president, even though Congress has acknowledged he won’t get enough votes.

“We see a government embroiled in corruption and Congress not responding,” said Lucas Ghersi, a conservative lawyer who is one of the organizers of the march, called Peru Reacts.

In October, Peru’s attorney general filed a constitutional complaint against Castillo with Congress, which the right-wing opposition hopes will result in his removal from office.

Similar demonstrations took place in other cities of the country, including Arequipa, Chiclayo, Cusco and Trujillo, according to reports and images broadcast by the local television channel Canal N. (Reporting by Marco Aquino and Sebastian Castaneda in Lima; Writing by Stefanie Eschenbacher; Editing by William Mallard)