Introduction to President José Jerí and His Challenging Start
Peru’s new president, José Jerí, has faced an unprecedented start to his term with at least 54 violent deaths reported within the first ten days of his presidency. These fatalities include a protester during early demonstrations against his administration, which took place just five days after Jerí assumed office following the resignation of Dina Boluarte.
Official Figures and Regional Impact
According to the official data from Peru’s National Death Information System (SINADEF), there have been 54 homicides between October 10 and 21. This equates to a violent death occurring roughly every four hours, with Lima and La Libertad regions being the most affected, accounting for 22 and over ten cases respectively. These figures may be even higher when considering the total of 1,798 homicides recorded since the beginning of the year, amidst growing concerns over insecurity and crime under Boluarte’s administration.
Boluarte’s Controversial Tenure and Jerí’s Challenges
Boluarte’s tenure, marked by ineffective governance and escalating security issues, eventually led to her resignation following months of protests. Jerí, who also faces criticism and a history of inappropriate conduct, initially declared a state of emergency in Lima and Callao—a strategy that failed to curb the ongoing security concerns. Despite this, a police officer was killed during the state of emergency’s early days.
Rising Crime Amidst State of Emergency
Although Jerí implemented the state of emergency, homicides and extortion cases have continued to rise, particularly targeting transportation workers who have led recent demonstrations. Critics argue that the military presence on the streets does not address the root causes of extortion, which often spread through social media and mobile messaging apps.
First Manifestant’s Death Under Jerí
Jerí now joins the list of Peruvian presidents with fatalities on their record during protests against their administration. Predecessors like Manuel Merino resigned shortly after assuming office amidst early protest-related deaths, while others like Boluarte now face investigation for the deaths of 49 protesters between December 2022 and February 2023.
First Protest Against Jerí and Eduardo Ruiz Sanz’s Death
Five days into his term, Jerí encountered his first protest led by student and youth groups demanding action on insecurity and lack of opportunities. This demonstration resulted in numerous injuries and the death of Eduardo Ruiz Sanz, who was fatally shot by civilian-dressed officer Luis Magallanes. Jerí’s then-appointed prime minister, Vicente Tiburcio, dismissed any political repercussions from Sanz’s death.
Police Response and Declining Public Trust
The Peruvian police initially accepted responsibility and announced an investigation into Ruiz Sanz’s death. However, they later hailed Magallanes as a “hero” acting in “self-defense,” despite contradictory video evidence. Public trust in the police has plummeted to an all-time low of 83% disapproval, according to the latest survey by Peru’s National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI).
Police Crisis and Need for Reform
The deterioration of the police’s image has been exacerbated by their handling of insecurity, protest repression, and the arrests of over a thousand officers since August for various offenses, including domestic violence, injuries, and attempted murder. Peru’s ongoing political crisis since 2016 has underscored the urgent need for police reform, with eight interior ministers having served in Boluarte’s three-year administration alone.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main issue in Peru’s recent political climate? The primary concern is the escalating violence, insecurity, and crime that have led to numerous deaths and protests against the government.
- Who is President José Jerí, and what challenges has he faced? Jerí is Peru’s newly appointed president who has encountered immediate challenges, including 54 violent deaths in his first ten days in office and leading a nation grappling with security concerns.
- What is the state of emergency declared by Jerí, and how effective has it been? Jerí declared a state of emergency in Lima and Callao to address security issues, but it has not prevented further violence or homicides.
- How has the Peruvian police responded to recent events? The police have faced criticism for their handling of protests and insecurity, with declining public trust and internal issues such as officer arrests for various offenses.
- What is the significance of Eduardo Ruiz Sanz’s death? Sanz’s fatal shooting during a protest against Jerí’s administration marked the first death under Jerí’s presidency and highlighted ongoing security concerns in Peru.
