Over 50 injured in Peru as protests cause 'nationwide chaos' - Reuters Canada

LIMA, Jan 20 (Reuters) - Dozens of Peruvians were injured aft tensions flared again connected Friday nighttime arsenic constabulary clashed with protesters successful anti-government demonstrations that are spreading crossed the country.

In the superior Lima, constabulary officers utilized teardrop state to repel demonstrators throwing solid bottles and stones, arsenic fires burned successful the streets, section TV footage showed.

In the country's confederate Puno region, immoderate 1,500 protesters attacked a constabulary presumption successful the municipality of Ilave, Interior Minister Vicente Romero said successful a connection to quality media.

A constabulary presumption successful Zepita, Puno, was besides connected fire, Romero said.

Health authorities successful Ilave reported 8 patients hospitalized with injuries, including breached arms and legs, oculus contusions and punctured abdomens.

By precocious afternoon, 58 radical had been injured nationwide successful demonstrations, according to a study from Peru's ombudsman.

The unrest followed a day of turmoil successful Thursday, erstwhile 1 of Lima's astir historical buildings burned to the ground, arsenic President Dina Boluarte vowed to get tougher connected "vandals."

The demolition of the building, a near-century-old mansion successful cardinal Lima, was described by officials arsenic the nonaccomplishment of a "monumental asset." Authorities are investigating the causes.

Romero connected Friday claimed the blaze was "duly planned and arranged."

Thousands of protesters descended connected Lima this week calling for alteration and angered by the protests' mounting decease toll, which officially stood astatine 45 connected Friday.

Protests person rocked Peru since President Pedro Castillo was ousted successful December aft helium attempted to dissolve the legislature to forestall an impeachment vote.

The unrest has until this week been concentrated successful Peru's south.

In the Cusco region, Glencore's (GLEN.L) large Antapaccay copper excavation suspended operations connected Friday aft protesters attacked the premises - 1 of the largest successful the state - for the 3rd clip this month.

Airports successful Arequipa, Cusco and the confederate metropolis of Juliaca were besides attacked by demonstrators, delivering a caller stroke to Peru's tourism industry.

"It's nationwide chaos, you can't unrecorded similar this. We are successful a unspeakable uncertainty - the economy, vandalism," said Lima nonmigratory Leonardo Rojas.

The authorities has extended a authorities of exigency to six regions, curtailing immoderate civilian rights.

But Boluarte has dismissed calls for her to resign and clasp drawback elections, alternatively calling for dialog and promising to punish those progressive successful the unrest.

"All the rigor of the instrumentality volition autumn connected those radical who person acted with vandalism," Boluarte said connected Thursday.

Some locals pointed the digit astatine Boluarte, accusing her of not taking enactment to quell the protests, which began connected Dec. 7 successful effect to the ouster and apprehension of Castillo.

Human rights groups person accused the constabulary and service of utilizing deadly firearms. The constabulary accidental protesters person utilized weapons and homemade explosives.

Reporting by Marco Aquino; Writing by Isabel Woodford; Editing by Bill Berkrot, Leslie Adler and William Mallard

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