Lima – Violent protests erupted across Peru on Thursday after Gen Z activists organized mass demonstrations calling for the resignation of the country’s new president, José Jerí. The unrest left at least one protester dead and around 100 people injured, including 80 police officers and 10 journalists. Despite mounting pressure, Jerí refused to step down.
Protester Killed Amid Clashes
Authorities confirmed the death of 32-year-old hip-hop artist Eduardo Ruíz, who was shot during the rally attended by thousands of young demonstrators. Witnesses reported that the suspected gunman, believed to be a plainclothes police officer, fled the scene immediately after the shooting. The Peruvian prosecutor’s office has ordered the collection of audiovisual and ballistic evidence and the transfer of Ruíz’s body from a hospital in Lima.
The protests, which began a month ago over youth wages and pension reforms, have grown to include broader grievances over corruption, crime, and governmental inefficiency. Demonstrators demanded Jerí’s resignation as well as that of other parliamentarians, criticizing policies they claim favor criminal organizations.
President Jerí Stands Firm
In response to the unrest, President Jerí addressed the media, stating, “My responsibility is to maintain the stability of the country; that is my commitment.” He announced plans to seek expanded authority to combat crime during an upcoming visit to Peru’s Parliament.
Escalation and Violence
The demonstrations quickly turned violent. At least 24 protesters and 80 police officers were injured, while four journalists were beaten and six others struck by pellets, according to local media and the National Association of Journalists. Tear gas and rubber pellets were deployed in response to pyrotechnics and confrontations with law enforcement.
Generational Discontent
Observers note that Peru’s Gen Z activists are part of a broader global wave of youth-led protests driven by frustration with corruption and social inequality. Protesters frequently carried black flags featuring a “One Piece” pirate skull, a symbol seen in youth rallies in Nepal, the Philippines, Indonesia, Kenya, and Morocco.
Sociologist Omar Coronel of the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru said, “After the pension issue, other frustrations followed — linked to insecurity, the erosion of state capacity, and corruption.” Demonstrators voiced outrage over abuse of power, chanting slogans like “Protesting is a right, killing is a crime” and denouncing Jerí’s administration.
A Controversial Presidency
Jerí assumed office on October 10, becoming Peru’s seventh president in less than a decade. The 38-year-old former Congress president promised to address rising crime but has faced criticism for prior allegations of sexual assault and controversial legislative support. His prime minister, Ernesto Álvarez, has dismissed protesters as unrepresentative of Peru’s working youth.
The country now faces a tense standoff as young Peruvians continue to mobilize against what they perceive as systemic corruption, demanding accountability and structural reforms.
