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Juliaca: After clashes with police, protesters carry away an injured fellow protester
Photo: Stringer/EPA
The political crisis in Peru continues, plunging the country into chaos.
At least 17 people were killed in clashes between demonstrators and security forces on Monday.
A representative of the Peruvian ombudsman told the AFP news agency that the deadly clashes occurred around the airport in the city of Juliaca on Monday.
Demonstrators had tried to occupy the airport.
The fatalities had gunshot wounds, said a representative of a hospital in Juliaca.
"More than 9,000 people" approached Juliaca Airport, Peruvian Prime Minister Alberto Otárola told journalists.
About 2,000 of them launched a "merciless attack on the police and facilities" using "improvised weapons," he said.
It was an "extreme situation".
A demonstrator told the AFP news agency that the police shot at the protesters.
It was the second attempt to occupy the airport within a few days.
Nationwide unrest since early December
Peru has been gripped by nationwide unrest since the ouster and arrest of left-wing President Pedro Castillo on December 7.
The demonstrators protest against Castillo's disempowerment and demand the resignation of his successor Dina Boluarte.
They are also demanding that Parliament be dissolved and that new elections be held immediately.
At the end of last year, Congress cleared the way for this.
However, the early elections are not scheduled to take place until 2024.
That's not enough for the demonstrators, they're sticking to their demands.
Including those killed at Juliaca Airport, 39 people have already been killed in the protests.
The Puno region bordering Bolivia is a central scene of the protests.
A general strike was called there last Wednesday.
asc/AFP