State Of Emergency Extended As Protests Continue

The Peruvian government has extended a state of emergency order as mass protests demanding government reform continue, reports CBC News.

Over the weekend, the crisis measure was extended by one month in the regions of Lima, Puno and Cusco, officials said.

Peru first announced a month-long state of emergency in December, after former President Pedro Castillo was ousted after attempting to dissolve Congress and rule by decree. Since then, polls have shown that 71 percent of Peruvians disapprove of the current President Dina Boluarte.

Protesters are demanding that Boluarte step down from office and that Castillo be released from prison.

Over 40 people have died in clashes between protesters and security forces.

The state of emergency grants police special powers and limits freedoms, including the right to assembly.

A curfew has been imposed in Puno from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. and is scheduled to be lifted on Jan. 24.