Protests by Generation Z in Peru see clashes with police, injuries and arrests; acts continue even after impeachment

Generation Z protests in Peru this Wednesday (15) The ‘Generation Z protests’ continue in Peru even after the fall of President Dina Boluarte last week. This Wednesday (15), young people took to the streets in the capital Lima in the first major act against interim president José Jerí, who took office 6 days ago, following the impeachment of Dina Boluarte. (Read more below). 📱Download the g1 app to see news in real time and for free The demonstrations, organized through social media, were concentrated in Plaza San Martín, in the city center. In images from the scene, it is possible to see young people setting fire to fences and throwing Molotov cocktails, fireworks and other objects at police lines. (See above). Police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd, according to local media. The newspaper El Comercio said that at least 29 police officers were injured. Three people were arrested. In addition to the departure of the interim president, protesters are calling for action against the rise in crime, the closure of Congress, and the convening of a constituent assembly to draft a new Constitution. Before Boluarte’s fall, a strong wave of protests by young people had already taken over the country. The demonstrations began to be called “Generation Z protests” by the press. 👉 Strength of youth: As in other places in the world, the demonstrations in Peru were organized mainly by young people from “Generation Z”. This is the popular name given to people born between 1995 and 2009, aged between 16 and 30. The acts, as well as this Wednesday (15), also recorded injuries and clashes with the police. They began in September, following a reform of the country’s retirement system led by Dina Boluarte’s government, which would require all Peruvians over the age of 18 to join a pension provider. The demonstrations were also driven by the population’s long-standing dissatisfaction against Boluarte and Congress, as well as long-standing discontent with corruption scandals, economic insecurity and the rise in crime in the country. Protesters clash with riot police during a protest against the interim president of Peru, José Jerí CONNIE FRANCE / AFP Fall of Dina Boluarte In the early hours of last Friday (10), Peru’s Congress approved the removal of president Dina Boluarte. She is accused of “moral incapacity”. The impeachment was approved in a unanimous vote. The 122 deputies who voted in favor formed the largest number of votes in favor in an impeachment process in the country, even more than the vote that removed former president Alberto Fujimori, later convicted of crimes against human rights during his term. The approved removal request mentions serious corruption allegations against Boluarte, including the “Rolexgate” case, which investigates a collection of undeclared luxury watches. The text was signed by 34 congressmen from different parties. Context: The Rolex watch scandal exploded with a report from the journalistic program “La Encerrona”, which revealed that Boluarte used several undeclared watches from the luxury brand at official events. The new president is the current head of Congress, José Jerí. He assumed the interim presidency in a ceremony held shortly after the vote. In a speech, Jerí said that he aims to create a government of reconciliation and declared war against crime. “The main enemy is out there, in the streets: criminal gangs,” he said. He is 38 years old and a member of the conservative Somos Peru party. Jerí will be the country’s seventh president since 2016. New elections are scheduled for April 2026. Boluarte’s term would end on July 28, 2026. Jerí stated that he will defend Peru’s sovereignty and hand over power to the winner of the April elections. Protesters clash with anti-riot police during a protest against Peru’s interim president, José Jerí, in Lima, on October 15, 2025 CONNIE FRANCE / AFP

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