Video: Generation Z protests against the government of Peru; confrontation with police take to the streets and leaves injured

Generation Z protests against the Government of Peru have confrontation with police and injured a wave of generation Z protests against the government of Peru has taken to the country’s streets in recent days. In the capital Lima, protesters clashed with police and dozens were injured. ✅ Click here to follow the G1 international news channel on WhatsApp the protests began on September 20 because of a dissatisfaction with a renovation of the country’s retirement system driven by the government of Dina Baluarte, which would force all Peruvians over 18 to join a pension provider. But not only that. The demonstrations were also driven by a lasting dissatisfaction of the population against Boluarte and Congress, as well as a longtime discontent with corruption scandals, economic insecurity and the increase in crime in the country. Only on Saturday (27), the protests ended with 18 people injured after clashes with the shock troop, according to the National Human Rights Coordination. The tension increased when protesters advanced towards the streets near Congress. 👉 Youth Strength: Just like elsewhere in the world, manifestations in Peru were organized mostly by young people of “generation Z” (read below). This is the popular name given to people born between 1995 and 2009, with something between 16 and 30 years. Another factor of revolt of the protesters is the lack of liability for the dozens of deaths by police in demonstrations when Boluarte assumed power in late 2022 after the dismissal and arrest of former President Pedro Castillo. Demonstrations against the Government of Peru in Lima on September 28, 2025. Reuters/Angela Ponce According to a report published in July by the Institute of Peruvian Studies, Boluarte’s approval is 2.5%, while Congress is 3%. According to Jo-Marie Burt, visiting professor at Princeton University Latin American Studies Program who has been researching Peruvian political for decades, these factors have fueled longtime discontent in the Peruvian population. “There is a low but constant level of discontent in Peru, and that has been happening for a long time,” Burt said in an interview with Reuters news agency. In addition to the agitation in Lima, the protests affected the mining industry in the country. Hudbay Minerals reported on Tuesday that it temporarily suspended the operations of its Plant in Peru amid the wave of protests. Peru is the third largest copper producer and also an important gold and silver producer. The youth of Peru goes to the “Gen Z” protesting streets break bars during protest against the government of Dina Baluarte in Lima, Peru, on September 28, 2025. Reuters/Sebastian Castaneda Generation Z protests in Peru follow similar movements performed by young people in Indonesia and Nepal. A recurring symbol in the demonstrations is a skull with straw hat, a reference to the Japanese manga One Piece, about pirates in search of treasures. Leonardo Muñoz is one of the protesters in Lima who adopted the symbol. “The main character, Luffy, travels from city to city releasing people from tyrannical and corrupt rulers in slave cities. This represents what is happening in several countries. And that’s what is happening now in Peru,” Muñoz said. According to the National Institute of Statistics of Peru (INE), 27% of the country’s population is between 18 and 29 years old. “We are tired of normalizing this. Since when we normalize death, since when we normalize corruption, extortion?” Said Santiago Zapata, a student and protester. “My generation is going to the streets now because we are tired of being silenced, of living in fear when the government we elected should fear us.” The democratic setback in Peru and the world demonstrations against the Peruvian government in Lima on September 27, 2025. Reuters/Sebastian Castaneda The protests, according to Burt, take place in a broader context, in which democracies around the world are under pressure, and follow government measures to weaken courts, control bodies and prosecutors. “Remember a lot what happened in the 1990s under Fujimori, when the justice system was essentially captured to consolidate authoritarian control,” he said. With less pressure from the United States to defend democracy abroad and persistent concerns about the weakening of electoral institutions before the 2026 elections, Burt recalled that previous protests in Peru helped “hold the line against the capture of institutions” and even overthrew presidents. “Democratic forces, even when there is almost total control by authoritarian systems, can mobilize and act unexpectedly that generate positive results,” Burt said, adding that a key factor will be the ability to support protests over time. “The opera is not over yet.” “Gen Z” protesters break bars during protest against the government of Dina Baluarte in Lima, Peru, on September 28, 2025. Reuters

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