Violent clashes erupted in Lima, Peru, on Wednesday, leaving at least one person dead and more than 100 injured, according to authorities. The unrest unfolded as demonstrators demanded the removal of the newly installed government led by interim President José Jeri. Jeri was appointed by Congress after President Dina Boluarte was impeached last week, a move fueled by widespread anger over rampant crime and corruption scandals.
Thousands of mostly young protesters and labor unions gathered and turned violent when they tried to breach security barriers outside Congress. Riot police intervened as demonstrators hurled stones, Molotov cocktails, and fireworks. Police responded with tear gas and flares. The protesters are calling for Jeri’s ouster and transparent elections, citing frustration with what they see as a corrupt and inefficient government.
Jeri has pledged to prioritize fighting crime, but his appointment has been met with skepticism. An Ipsos poll last month showed only 5 % of respondents approved of his performance as head of Congress, while nearly 80 % disapproved. Peru has experienced significant political instability in recent years, with seven governments in the past decade.
The current wave of violence in Lima has been fueled by a surge in extortion cases, which have risen from a few hundred per year in 2017 to over 2,000 per month in 2025. This increase has led to the deaths of dozens of bus drivers and the bombing of businesses, prompting the declaration of a state of emergency earlier this year.
Jeri condemned the protests as “irresponsible” and alleged that criminals had infiltrated the rally to create chaos. He vowed to hold those responsible for the violence accountable, promising they will face “the full weight of the law.” The situation in Lima remains volatile, with many Peruvians expressing frustration over the government’s inability to address the underlying issues driving violence and corruption.
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