The Association of Agricultural Producers Guilds of Peru (AGAP) is calling for the government to restore order amid nearly a week of demonstrations that the association said have introduced “chaos, death and roadblocks in the center, north and south of the country.”
CNN reports the current unrest is tied to the ouster and arrest of leftist leader Pedro Castillo after he tried to dissolve Congress. In the wake of that, protesters were demanding Congress and new president Dina Boluarte step down.
The association said Dec. 13 that the protests do not allow the free movement of goods and people, severely damaging the agricultural sector and preventing workers from going to their jobs.
Violent groups damaged company facilities in Ica and Arequipa, the group said.
“In the same way, we reiterate to President Dina Boluarte that a state of emergency must be urgently declared in Arequipa, Ica and La Libertad, among other regions, and that the executive authorities, the Prosecutor’s Office and the Judiciary comply with defending the rule of law and public order, giving protection to citizens, public and private property, and immediately reestablishing free transit on the roads,” the association said in a news release.
