Anti-Government Protests in Peru Turn Violent 

Hundreds of anti-government protesters clashed with police in Peru’s capital of Lima over the weekend, the latest unrest to affect the South American country over organized crime, government corruption, and a recent pension reform program, Agence France-Presse reported. 

On Saturday, around 500 demonstrators marched in Lima’s center under heavy police presence. Violence broke out as protesters tried to get close to the executive and congressional buildings. 

Police said at least three officers were wounded. 

The weekend protests were organized by a youth collective called “Generation Z” targeting the administration of President Dina Boluarte, whose approval ratings have dropped to single digits amid rising cases of extortion and violence due to organized crime in the country.  

Opinion polls show that a majority of Peruvians see the government and the conservative-majority congress as corrupt.  

Boluarte’s term ends next year. 

Analysts said the demonstrations are partially in protest of a pension reform plan passed by the legislature last week.  

The new law requires young adults to join a private pension fund, even though many face employment and wage uncertainty as gig workers and other forms of self-employment.