At least 18 injured in new clashes between protesters and security forces in Peru

MADRID, 5 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) -

At least 18 people have been injured during a day of protests in the city of Juli, in the southern department of Puno, amid the political crisis facing the country after the removal of former President Pedro Castillo.

In a preliminary report, the health authorities have reported that they are eight civilians and ten soldiers. One of the injured has a wound to the right arm from a bullet, while two others, including a child under 13 years of age, were affected by tear gas poisoning, RPP has collected.

The other injured, who have been diagnosed with multiple bruises and injuries, have already been discharged from the medical center where they were admitted.

The riots between demonstrators and the security forces have resulted, in addition to the injured, with a fire at the headquarters of the Judiciary in Juli as well as a police station, all while there have been direct confrontations between both parties.

The Government of Peru has shown its rejection of the attacks by which it has described the local police station as "vandals", blaming them for having endangered the 47 police officers who were inside.

"Despite the fact that the officer in charge of the police station tried to establish a dialogue, the attackers continued their acts of violence for more than three hours," read a letter released by the Peruvian Ministry of the Interior.

Peru is plunged into a deep political crisis after the removal of former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo, who announced on December 7 the dissolution of the Andean Parliament and the establishment of an emergency government.

After the arrest of the former president, tens of thousands of people have come out to protest in various parts of the country to demand the resignation of Boluarte, the dissolution of Congress and the urgent call for presidential elections. More than 60 people have lost their lives in the riots between protesters and security forces.