Blockade in Peru puts oxygen supply at risk

Credit: CELSO ROLDAN / AFP via Getty Images

(CNN Spanish) -

The protests and blockades of agricultural workers on roads in the north and south of Peru have left one dead and at least 37 people affected, according to the Ministry of Health reported this Thursday.

The health ministry also warned that the supply of oxygen to patients with coronavirus in the south of Lima is in danger.

The death, the details of which are not yet clear, was registered at the height of the Panamericana Norte (km5), in the district of Chao, Virú province, La Libertad region, in the north of the country.

Through his Twitter account, the interim president of Peru Francisco Sagasti regretted the death on Thursday, warned that he will punish those responsible and emphasized that the right to protest should not lead to death.

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Sagasti added that he instructed the interior minister to lead police operations that restore control of the region, and concluded by saying that they are working with Congress to present a bill to improve farmers' rights.

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Speaking to 

, the president of the Council of Ministers Violeta Bermúdez expressed the government's interest in having the facts clarified.

He added that it was ordered that the police intervene without the use of lethal weapons.

In a tweet, the president of Congress Mirtha Vásquez called for an investigation to establish responsibilities.

"It is up to us to resolve their delayed demands," he wrote.

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The protests began on Monday.

The workers demand better working conditions and the repeal of the agrarian promotion law.

To try to unblock the conflict, a dialogue table was set up between the government, workers and businessmen, which ended on Thursday without reaching an agreement.

Credit: CELSO ROLDAN / AFP via Getty Images

Due to the blockades, the Ministry of Health reported on Thursday that, in coordination with the Ministry of Defense, it sent several medical oxygen balloons by air to the Ica region, in the south of the capital, to supply health establishments. of the area, "since a group of medical oxygen tanks (isotanks) that were on the way, are unable to reach".

According to the official note, the regional hospital of Ica has not been able to receive the oxygen it requires "with great urgency" to care for patients with covid-19.

CNN is trying to communicate with a protester or agrarian leader.

Jimena de la Quintana contributed to this report

Pan-American Highway