‘Separatist’ foreigners to blame for violent protests in Peru: Chavez

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Peru’s Defense Minister Jorge Chavez on Thursday accused foreigners of trying to foment separatist sentiments in the south of the country, as tensions remain high following the ousting of former President Pedro Castillo last month.

“They entered not only with the intention of stirring up violence but also to integrate this separatist idea of ​​part of our region into the country,” Chavez told a press conference.

Chavez did not specify the nationality of those who entered the country, but in an interview with local television on Wednesday, he said he reported the presence of five Bolivians at a protest in the border region of Puno.

He said the government was working on legal action against those who allegedly crossed the border illegally.

In Puno and other historically left-leaning parts of the south, some protest leaders are talking about separating from Lima and northern Peru.

Protests in Peru began in early December after Castillo was removed from office and then detained after he illegally tried to dissolve Congress.

Crowds took to the streets to demand the resignation of new President Dina Boluarte, the closure of Congress, a change in the constitution and the release of Castillo. Protests resumed on Wednesday after a lull over the Christmas and New Year period.

Boluarte told local media on Wednesday that she was working with immigration officials to decide whether former Bolivian President Evo Morales, a fierce critic of Peru’s new government and a supporter of Castillo, should be allowed to enter the country.

Morales, who has traveled to Peru several times during Castillo’s tenure, on Thursday lambasted Boluarte again and the violence during the protests, which left 22 dead in clashes and six others in crashes linked to roadblocks .

“Please stop the massacres, illegal detentions, persecutions and accusations of terrorism against our indigenous brothers and sisters,” Morales said on Twitter, calling for “profound transformation.”

Peruvian Prime Minister Alberto Otarola said Thursday that Peru rejects any attempt at foreign “interference” and that authorities are carefully monitoring the border region.

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