As the Presidential campaign enters in it's final days, Peru's voters have the opportunity to send their country in one of two different directions.

Peru prepares for a polarizing Presidential election

Peru has almost tripled its official COVID-19 death toll after a government review found that casualties were being underreported. The death toll has now been increased to over 180,764 from 69,342.

Coronavirus Update: Peru nearly triples its COVID-19 death toll

Peruvian socialist Pedro Castillo and right-wing opponent Keiko Fujimori are neck-and-neck in the polls just one week ahead of the Andean copper-producing country's polarized presidential election on June 6.

A poll from Ipsos Peru on Sunday showed the two candidates within 2 percentage points of each other and the gap between them narrowing versus the pollster's previous survey, suggesting a tight race in the crossroads vote for the country.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/peru-votes-amid-deadly-coronavirus-surge-376778">Peru votes amid deadly coronavirus surge</a>

The poll showed Castillo, a teacher who has pledged to redraft Peru's constitution and take a larger slice of profits from miners, rising 2 points to have 42 per cent of the vote. Fujimori meanwhile rose 3 points to garner 40 per cent of the vote.

The election, amid one of the world's toughest <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> outbreaks and a sharp economic plunge, could tilt the country, a relative investor safe-haven in Latin America, sharply to the left or bring the controversial Fujimori family back to power.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/peru-braces-for-most-fragmented-election-in-history-as-pandemic-grips-376561">Peru braces for 'most fragmented election in history' as pandemic grips</a>

Former president Alberto Fujimori, Keiko Fujimori's father, is currently serving a long jail sentence for corruption and human rights abuses. Keiko herself is facing an ongoing investigation into alleged corruption that she denies.

The survey was carried out on May 28 and included 1,526 people, with a margin of error of 2.51 per cent. Undecided voters made up 18 per cent of those surveyed, down from 23 per cent in the previous poll.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/with-rattles-and-smoke-peru-shamans-predict-election-outcome-387804/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"It could be said that both contenders are in a statistical tie. However, taking other studies into account, it would be more appropriate to say that they are getting closer," said Ipsos CEO Alfredo Torres.

Another poll released on Sunday, in this case by the Peruvian Studies Institute (IEP), showed that voting intentions towards Castillo dropped to 40.3 per cent from a previous 44.8 per cent, while the support for Fujimori advanced to 38.3 per cent from 34.4 per cent.

As the election race has heated up, thousands of Fujimori supporters marched through Lima on Saturday night to reject what they called Castillo's "communism", while last week another march saw people protest against Fujimori and corruption.

Peru's markets rose on Friday after a poll showed the race tightening. Castillo, who was a shock winner of the first-round vote, has sent jitters through markets and miners worried about more potential state intervention.

Peruvian socialist Pedro Castillo and right-wing opponent Keiko Fujimori are neck-and-neck in the polls just one week ahead of the Andean copper-producing country's polarized presidential election on June 6.

Peruvian socialist Pedro Castillo and right-wing opponent Keiko Fujimori are neck-and-neck in the polls just one week ahead of the Andean copper-producing country's polarized presidential election on June 6. A poll from Ipsos Peru on Sunday showed the two candidates within 2 percentage points of each other and the gap between them narrowing versus the pollster's previous survey, suggesting a tight race in the crossroads vote for the country. Also Read | Peru votes amid deadly coronavirus surge The poll showed Castillo, a teacher who has pledged to redraft Peru's constitution and take a larger slice of profits from miners, rising 2 points to have 42 per cent of the vote. Fujimori meanwhile rose 3 points to garner 40 per cent of the vote. The election, amid one of the world's toughest coronavirus outbreaks and a sharp economic plunge, could tilt the country, a relative investor safe-haven in Latin America, sharply to the left or bring the controversial Fujimori family back to power. Also Read | Peru braces for 'most fragmented election in history' as pandemic grips Former president Alberto Fujimori, Keiko Fujimori's father, is currently serving a long jail sentence for corruption and human rights abuses. Keiko herself is facing an ongoing investigation into alleged corruption that she denies. The survey was carried out on May 28 and included 1,526 people, with a margin of error of 2.51 per cent. Undecided voters made up 18 per cent of those surveyed, down from 23 per cent in the previous poll. "It could be said that both contenders are in a statistical tie. However, taking other studies into account, it would be more appropriate to say that they are getting closer," said Ipsos CEO Alfredo Torres. Another poll released on Sunday, in this case by the Peruvian Studies Institute (IEP), showed that voting intentions towards Castillo dropped to 40.3 per cent from a previous 44.8 per cent, while the support for Fujimori advanced to 38.3 per cent from 34.4 per cent. As the election race has heated up, thousands of Fujimori supporters marched through Lima on Saturday night to reject what they called Castillo's "communism", while last week another march saw people protest against Fujimori and corruption. Peru's markets rose on Friday after a poll showed the race tightening. Castillo, who was a shock winner of the first-round vote, has sent jitters through markets and miners worried about more potential state intervention.

Peru election race tightens a week before polarized vote

Peruvian shamans, with rattles, smoke, and pictures of the Andean country's two presidential candidates, are trying to predict the winner of a polarised run-off election set to take place on June 6. Polls are currently showing that contest could be tight.

With rattles and smoke, Peru shamans predict election outcome

Two children and 16 adults were shot dead in a remote coca-growing area of Peru, the armed forces said on Monday, blaming the attack on members of the Shining Path guerrilla group.&nbsp;

The killings late on Sunday risk inflaming tensions amid a polarised campaign for the presidency between leftist Pedro Castillo and his rival from the right, Keiko Fujimori.&nbsp;

The villagers were mowed down at San Miguel del Ene in a coca-growing valley where members of the Maoist Shining Path group operate, according to the joint command of the armed forces.&nbsp;

The head of the police counter-terrorism unit, General Oscar Arriola, said the dead included 10 men, six women and two children.&nbsp;

In a statement, the armed forces command blamed the attack on fighters led by guerrilla leader Victor Quispe Palomino, or Comrade Jose.&nbsp;

President Francisco Sagasti on Twitter condemned the killings and ordered police and soldiers to the area to ensure "that this terrorist action does not go unpunished."&nbsp;

A specialized terrorism unit has been tasked with investigating the killings, which Defense Minister Nuria Esparch vowed "will not go unpunished."&nbsp;

At the scene of the killings, added the statement, pamphlets were left warning people not to take part in the 2021 election.&nbsp;

Police were alerted to the crime by neighbors in the early hours of Monday, and found the bodies, some of them burnt, in two bars on the banks of a small river, according to the region's mayor Alejandro Atao.&nbsp;

He told police that pamphlets signed by the Shining Path central committee were found near the bodies, vowing to rid the region and Peru of "parasites and the corrupt."&nbsp;

Most of the Shining Path's top leaders have been detained by the authorities, but Comrade Jose and other militants remain at large and active in Peru's coca-growing region, where the government says they collaborate with drug-traffickers. &nbsp;

Comrade Jose's brother, Jorge Quispe Palomino or Comrade Raul, died in January due to injuries sustained in an attack on a "terrorist camp," according to the authorities.&nbsp;

With Colombia and Bolivia, Peru is one of the world's main producers of coca leaves from which cocaine is derived, according to the UN.&nbsp;

Supporters of Fujimori, making her third bid for Peru's presidency, have tried to link rival Castillo to the Shining Path's political wing, known as Movadef.&nbsp;

Castillo, who had participated in armed "peasant patrols" that resisted Shining Path incursions during the height of Peru's internal conflict from 1980 to 2000, vehemently denies the allegations.&nbsp;

On Monday, he condemned on Twitter what he termed a "terrorist attack."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

Two children and 16 adults were shot dead in a remote coca-growing area of Peru, the armed forces said on Monday, blaming the attack on members of the Shining Path guerrilla group.

Two children and 16 adults were shot dead in a remote coca-growing area of Peru, the armed forces said on Monday, blaming the attack on members of the Shining Path guerrilla group. The killings late on Sunday risk inflaming tensions amid a polarised campaign for the presidency between leftist Pedro Castillo and his rival from the right, Keiko Fujimori. The villagers were mowed down at San Miguel del Ene in a coca-growing valley where members of the Maoist Shining Path group operate, according to the joint command of the armed forces. The head of the police counter-terrorism unit, General Oscar Arriola, said the dead included 10 men, six women and two children. In a statement, the armed forces command blamed the attack on fighters led by guerrilla leader Victor Quispe Palomino, or Comrade Jose. President Francisco Sagasti on Twitter condemned the killings and ordered police and soldiers to the area to ensure "that this terrorist action does not go unpunished." A specialized terrorism unit has been tasked with investigating the killings, which Defense Minister Nuria Esparch vowed "will not go unpunished." At the scene of the killings, added the statement, pamphlets were left warning people not to take part in the 2021 election. Police were alerted to the crime by neighbors in the early hours of Monday, and found the bodies, some of them burnt, in two bars on the banks of a small river, according to the region's mayor Alejandro Atao. He told police that pamphlets signed by the Shining Path central committee were found near the bodies, vowing to rid the region and Peru of "parasites and the corrupt." Most of the Shining Path's top leaders have been detained by the authorities, but Comrade Jose and other militants remain at large and active in Peru's coca-growing region, where the government says they collaborate with drug-traffickers. Comrade Jose's brother, Jorge Quispe Palomino or Comrade Raul, died in January due to injuries sustained in an attack on a "terrorist camp," according to the authorities. With Colombia and Bolivia, Peru is one of the world's main producers of coca leaves from which cocaine is derived, according to the UN. Supporters of Fujimori, making her third bid for Peru's presidency, have tried to link rival Castillo to the Shining Path's political wing, known as Movadef. Castillo, who had participated in armed "peasant patrols" that resisted Shining Path incursions during the height of Peru's internal conflict from 1980 to 2000, vehemently denies the allegations. On Monday, he condemned on Twitter what he termed a "terrorist attack." (With inputs from agencies)

Two children among 18 killed in Peru by rebel group ahead of election

Peruvian cartoonist Edilberto Jimenez grew inspired by COVID-19 victims and the difficulties they face in getting healthcare, turning it into 100 sketches portraying the pandemic in Peru.

Peru cartoonist chronicles country's virus crisis

Countries usually fight on land, water, airspace, fish and more of such things. In the middle of the pandemic, some are fighting over vaccines.

However, Peru and Bolivia are fighting over something totally different. There is an ongoing diplomatic row between the two neighbours over ancient dance forms and Bolivia is now threatening to knock on UNESCO's door.

The dance form the two countries are fighting on is called 'La Morenada' and Bolivia wants to be known as its country of origin. However, Peru recently declared La Morenada, Rey Monero and Rey Caporal as the cultural heritage of the city of Puno.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-peru-bolivia-fights-over-ancient-dance-forms-385131">Watch |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-peru-bolivia-fights-over-ancient-dance-forms-385131/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

This resolution was published in a state newspaper. Its words were too bitter for Bolivia to digest and it, therefore, wants to request international protection of its culture from UNESCO.

"In 2001, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO declared the Oruro carnival and its dances, including the Morenada dance and the dance of the Caporales, a masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity," Sabina Orellana, the Bolivian culture minister said.

Peru has denied these claims and says it is not stealing a dance and definitely not its origin or exclusivity.

Folk dances in the Andean highlands have a long shared history and each country in the region has contributed to the art form over the years. The Morenada or dance of the black slaves, for example, has a mix of African and indigenous elements, Alejandro Neyra, Peru’s cultural minister, said.

"This is precisely part of what unites us from southern Peru with Bolivia, which is what we want to protect. This lore and artistic expression are part of knowledge. That is not proprietary of a single territory but rather that they can be shared because the idea is that they be preserved and maintained over time," Alejandro Neyra said

This is not the first time that two countries are fighting over culture. War of words has been fought over GI tags and on social media. They include the battle over handloom, basmati rice, culinary, and even fish.

Countries usually fight on land, water, airspace, fish and more of such things. In the middle of the pandemic, some are fighting over vaccines. However, Peru and Bolivia are fighting over something totally different.

Countries usually fight on land, water, airspace, fish and more of such things. In the middle of the pandemic, some are fighting over vaccines. However, Peru and Bolivia are fighting over something totally different. There is an ongoing diplomatic row between the two neighbours over ancient dance forms and Bolivia is now threatening to knock on UNESCO's door. The dance form the two countries are fighting on is called 'La Morenada' and Bolivia wants to be known as its country of origin. However, Peru recently declared La Morenada, Rey Monero and Rey Caporal as the cultural heritage of the city of Puno. Watch | This resolution was published in a state newspaper. Its words were too bitter for Bolivia to digest and it, therefore, wants to request international protection of its culture from UNESCO. "In 2001, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO declared the Oruro carnival and its dances, including the Morenada dance and the dance of the Caporales, a masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity," Sabina Orellana, the Bolivian culture minister said. Peru has denied these claims and says it is not stealing a dance and definitely not its origin or exclusivity. Folk dances in the Andean highlands have a long shared history and each country in the region has contributed to the art form over the years. The Morenada or dance of the black slaves, for example, has a mix of African and indigenous elements, Alejandro Neyra, Peru’s cultural minister, said. "This is precisely part of what unites us from southern Peru with Bolivia, which is what we want to protect. This lore and artistic expression are part of knowledge. That is not proprietary of a single territory but rather that they can be shared because the idea is that they be preserved and maintained over time," Alejandro Neyra said This is not the first time that two countries are fighting over culture. War of words has been fought over GI tags and on social media. They include the battle over handloom, basmati rice, culinary, and even fish.

Dance battle: Peru and Bolivia fight over origin of 'La Morenada'

A zoo in the Peruvian capital, Lima, is thrilled to present two endangered baby American crocodiles to the public who were born at the zoo in February through artificial insemination.

Endangered crocodiles born via artificial insemination make first zoo appearance

Forget land, water or airspace, Peru and Bolivia are fighting over ancient dance forms. Bolivia is crying thief, and Peru promises to not have stolen any dance. Palki Sharma brings you the story.

Gravitas: Peru, Bolivia fights over ancient dance forms

A diplomatic row has arisen between Bolivia and Peru as the neighboring countries dispute the origin of several traditional Andean dances, including the colourful La Morenada.

Peru and Bolivia in row over traditional Andean dances

Peru voted for a new president Sunday, in its deadliest week yet of the Covid-19 pandemic, as polling queues vied with lines of people seeking oxygen for infected loved ones fighting for breath.

Some 25 million people are meant to vote -- which is mandatory -- the day after Peru recorded its highest-ever daily toll in the Covid-19 pandemic.

Authorities on Saturday reported 384 fatalities in the preceding 24 hours -- the third daily record in a week -- bringing the overall toll to more than 54,600 in the country of 33 million people.

Over 11,200 new daily cases were reported, adding to another 1.6 million to date.

Yet as the death toll mounts and infections soar, Peru's government decided to press ahead with elections, unlike neighbor Chile which postponed a vote scheduled for Sunday as South America battles a surge in infections fueled by new virus variants believed to be more contagious.

Six of Peru's 18 presidential candidates have contracted the virus, including former football goalkeeper George Forsyth -- one of the leading contenders according to polls -- who was forced to cut short his final week of campaigning.

Thousands of polling stations opened their doors at 7.00 am &nbsp;(1200 GMT), and will stay open for 12 hours -- four more than usual in a bid to prevent voters amassing.

'Unfair'

As some Peruvians lined up to vote, others queued for oxygen refills for loved ones battling coronavirus infection.

"It is unfair, because instead of being there in the voting queue, we had to get up at daybreak to fetch oxygen," Micaela Lizama, 38, told AFP in Lima.

"We give more priority now to health than to votes," added Ruben Arias, 22, also queueing for oxygen. 
Mario Tinoco, 52, said he was willing to risk the fine for not voting because "I have to get oxygen, that is the main thing for me."

Despite the pandemic outlook, election campaigning had continued until Thursday, with candidates drawing hundreds of followers to often boisterous rallies.

'Most fragmented' ever

With aspirants across the political spectrum vying for the presidency, polls have shown there is no clear favorite.

The highest-polled candidate -- Yonhy Lescano of the center-right -- had 10 percent of voter intention a week ago.&nbsp;

An Ipsos poll showed only four percentage points between Lescano and the seventh place candidate, meaning Sunday's first election round will likely be inconclusive.

The two candidates with the most votes will then compete in a runoff on June 6.

Close behind Lescano were leftist anthropologist Veronika Mendoza, conservative economist Hernando de Soto, Forsyth and corruption-accused Keiko Fujimori -- daughter of former president Alberto Fujimori.

Also in the running were ultra-conservative celibate Catholic Rafael Lopez Aliaga and far-left unionist Pedro Castillo.

This will be the country's "most fragmented election" ever, according to Ipsos Peru chief Alfredo Torres. 
Almost a third of voters are undecided.

Recession and upheaval

The uncertain outcome has the markets worried, and the Peruvian sol plunged to a record low 3.8 to the US dollar last month, adding to the future president's full in-tray.

Peru has been in recession since the second quarter of last year after a national lockdown shuttered businesses and crippled the all-important tourism sector.

Its economy contracted more than 11 percent in 2020, four million people lost their jobs and another five million dropped into poverty.

The country has also been convulsed by political upheaval driven by claims of corruption at the highest echelons.

This will be Peru's fifth president in three years after three fell within days of each other in November 2020 amid protests that left two dead and hundreds injured.

The first election results should be known around 11:30 pm on Sunday (0430 GMT Monday).

Peruvians are also voting for 130 members of congress.

Peru voted for a new president Sunday, in its deadliest week yet of the Covid-19 pandemic, as polling queues vied with lines of people seeking oxygen for infected loved ones fighting for breath.

Peru voted for a new president Sunday, in its deadliest week yet of the Covid-19 pandemic, as polling queues vied with lines of people seeking oxygen for infected loved ones fighting for breath. Some 25 million people are meant to vote -- which is mandatory -- the day after Peru recorded its highest-ever daily toll in the Covid-19 pandemic. Authorities on Saturday reported 384 fatalities in the preceding 24 hours -- the third daily record in a week -- bringing the overall toll to more than 54,600 in the country of 33 million people. Over 11,200 new daily cases were reported, adding to another 1.6 million to date. Yet as the death toll mounts and infections soar, Peru's government decided to press ahead with elections, unlike neighbor Chile which postponed a vote scheduled for Sunday as South America battles a surge in infections fueled by new virus variants believed to be more contagious. Six of Peru's 18 presidential candidates have contracted the virus, including former football goalkeeper George Forsyth -- one of the leading contenders according to polls -- who was forced to cut short his final week of campaigning. Thousands of polling stations opened their doors at 7.00 am (1200 GMT), and will stay open for 12 hours -- four more than usual in a bid to prevent voters amassing. 'Unfair' As some Peruvians lined up to vote, others queued for oxygen refills for loved ones battling coronavirus infection. "It is unfair, because instead of being there in the voting queue, we had to get up at daybreak to fetch oxygen," Micaela Lizama, 38, told AFP in Lima. "We give more priority now to health than to votes," added Ruben Arias, 22, also queueing for oxygen. Mario Tinoco, 52, said he was willing to risk the fine for not voting because "I have to get oxygen, that is the main thing for me." Despite the pandemic outlook, election campaigning had continued until Thursday, with candidates drawing hundreds of followers to often boisterous rallies. 'Most fragmented' ever With aspirants across the political spectrum vying for the presidency, polls have shown there is no clear favorite. The highest-polled candidate -- Yonhy Lescano of the center-right -- had 10 percent of voter intention a week ago. An Ipsos poll showed only four percentage points between Lescano and the seventh place candidate, meaning Sunday's first election round will likely be inconclusive. The two candidates with the most votes will then compete in a runoff on June 6. Close behind Lescano were leftist anthropologist Veronika Mendoza, conservative economist Hernando de Soto, Forsyth and corruption-accused Keiko Fujimori -- daughter of former president Alberto Fujimori. Also in the running were ultra-conservative celibate Catholic Rafael Lopez Aliaga and far-left unionist Pedro Castillo. This will be the country's "most fragmented election" ever, according to Ipsos Peru chief Alfredo Torres. Almost a third of voters are undecided. Recession and upheaval The uncertain outcome has the markets worried, and the Peruvian sol plunged to a record low 3.8 to the US dollar last month, adding to the future president's full in-tray. Peru has been in recession since the second quarter of last year after a national lockdown shuttered businesses and crippled the all-important tourism sector. Its economy contracted more than 11 percent in 2020, four million people lost their jobs and another five million dropped into poverty. The country has also been convulsed by political upheaval driven by claims of corruption at the highest echelons. This will be Peru's fifth president in three years after three fell within days of each other in November 2020 amid protests that left two dead and hundreds injured. The first election results should be known around 11:30 pm on Sunday (0430 GMT Monday). Peruvians are also voting for 130 members of congress.

Peru votes amid deadly coronavirus surge

Some 25 million Peruvians are set to turn out Sunday to vote for a new president amid the country's deadliest week of the coronavirus pandemic and a surge in new infections.

Voting is mandatory in the country of 33 million, which saw an average of 279 daily deaths over the past week and 384 fatalities in 24 hours reported Saturday -- the third daily death toll record this week.

Over 11,200 new cases were recorded Saturday.

Unlike its neighbor Chile, which was also due to hold elections Sunday but delayed them over the pandemic, Peru's government decided to press ahead.

More than 1.6 million people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Peru to date, and more than 54,000 have died.&nbsp;

The South American continent is battling a surge in infections fueled by new virus variants believed to be more contagious.

Six of the 18 presidential candidates have contracted the virus, including former football goalkeeper George Forsyth -- one of the leading contenders according to polls -- who was forced to cut short his final week of campaigning.

With aspirants from the left to the right of the political spectrum vying for the top post in a country where personality tends to count for more than ideology, no one enjoys more than 10 percent of polled support.

An Ipsos poll last Sunday showed 62-year-old center-right contender Yonhy Lescano with a narrow lead, and only four percentage points between him and the seventh place candidate.

Sanitizing polling stations

On Saturday, workers started sanitizing 11,402 polling stations which will open for 12 hours on Sunday -- three times more stations than usual in a bid to prevent massing.

Voters have been assigned time slots.

Yet campaigning continued until Thursday with candidates drawing hundreds of followers to boisterous rallies.

"Unfortunately, political decisions have taken precedence over (health) measures," the head of the Peru Medical College doctors' association, Augusto Tarazona, told AFP.&nbsp;

Interior Minister Jose Elice said about 20,000 police would be deployed to ensure voters complied with anti-infection measures.

"We are living in one of the most difficult and critical times in our history. Health, the economy, politics and even morality and ethics are in crisis," caretaker President Francisco Sagasti said in a televised address Friday, encouraging Peruvians to vote.

At a time when the country is in dire need of stability -- confronting the health crisis, economic distress and five years of political upheaval -- it appears likely the first election round will be inconclusive.

If so, Peruvians will have to wait until June 6 for a runoff round between the top two candidates.

'Most fragmented' election

Close behind Lescano, according to polls, are leftist anthropologist Veronika Mendoza, conservative economist Hernando de Soto, Forsyth and corruption-accused Keiko Fujimori -- daughter of former president Alberto Fujimori.

Also in the running are ultra-conservative celibate Catholic Rafael Lopez Aliaga and far-left unionist Pedro Castillo.

This will be the country's "most fragmented election" ever, said Ipsos Peru chief Alfredo Torres.

Almost a third of voters are undecided.

The uncertain outcome has the markets worried, and the Peruvian sol plunged to a record low 3.8 to the US dollar last month.

Peru has been in recession since the second quarter of last year after a national lockdown shuttered businesses and crippled the all-important tourism sector.

Peru's economy contracted more than 11 percent in 2020, four million people lost their jobs and another five million dropped into poverty.

The country has also been convulsed by political upheaval driven by claims of corruption at the highest echelons.

The new president will be the fifth to hold the position in three years after three presidents fell within days of each other in November 2020 amid protests that left two dead and hundreds injured.

The first election results should be known around 11:30 pm on Sunday (0430 GMT Monday).

Peruvians will also vote for 130 members of congress.

Some 25 million Peruvians are set to turn out Sunday to vote for a new president amid the country's deadliest week of the coronavirus pandemic and a surge in new infections.

Some 25 million Peruvians are set to turn out Sunday to vote for a new president amid the country's deadliest week of the coronavirus pandemic and a surge in new infections. Voting is mandatory in the country of 33 million, which saw an average of 279 daily deaths over the past week and 384 fatalities in 24 hours reported Saturday -- the third daily death toll record this week. Over 11,200 new cases were recorded Saturday. Unlike its neighbor Chile, which was also due to hold elections Sunday but delayed them over the pandemic, Peru's government decided to press ahead. More than 1.6 million people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Peru to date, and more than 54,000 have died. The South American continent is battling a surge in infections fueled by new virus variants believed to be more contagious. Six of the 18 presidential candidates have contracted the virus, including former football goalkeeper George Forsyth -- one of the leading contenders according to polls -- who was forced to cut short his final week of campaigning. With aspirants from the left to the right of the political spectrum vying for the top post in a country where personality tends to count for more than ideology, no one enjoys more than 10 percent of polled support. An Ipsos poll last Sunday showed 62-year-old center-right contender Yonhy Lescano with a narrow lead, and only four percentage points between him and the seventh place candidate. Sanitizing polling stations On Saturday, workers started sanitizing 11,402 polling stations which will open for 12 hours on Sunday -- three times more stations than usual in a bid to prevent massing. Voters have been assigned time slots. Yet campaigning continued until Thursday with candidates drawing hundreds of followers to boisterous rallies. "Unfortunately, political decisions have taken precedence over (health) measures," the head of the Peru Medical College doctors' association, Augusto Tarazona, told AFP. Interior Minister Jose Elice said about 20,000 police would be deployed to ensure voters complied with anti-infection measures. "We are living in one of the most difficult and critical times in our history. Health, the economy, politics and even morality and ethics are in crisis," caretaker President Francisco Sagasti said in a televised address Friday, encouraging Peruvians to vote. At a time when the country is in dire need of stability -- confronting the health crisis, economic distress and five years of political upheaval -- it appears likely the first election round will be inconclusive. If so, Peruvians will have to wait until June 6 for a runoff round between the top two candidates. 'Most fragmented' election Close behind Lescano, according to polls, are leftist anthropologist Veronika Mendoza, conservative economist Hernando de Soto, Forsyth and corruption-accused Keiko Fujimori -- daughter of former president Alberto Fujimori. Also in the running are ultra-conservative celibate Catholic Rafael Lopez Aliaga and far-left unionist Pedro Castillo. This will be the country's "most fragmented election" ever, said Ipsos Peru chief Alfredo Torres. Almost a third of voters are undecided. The uncertain outcome has the markets worried, and the Peruvian sol plunged to a record low 3.8 to the US dollar last month. Peru has been in recession since the second quarter of last year after a national lockdown shuttered businesses and crippled the all-important tourism sector. Peru's economy contracted more than 11 percent in 2020, four million people lost their jobs and another five million dropped into poverty. The country has also been convulsed by political upheaval driven by claims of corruption at the highest echelons. The new president will be the fifth to hold the position in three years after three presidents fell within days of each other in November 2020 amid protests that left two dead and hundreds injured. The first election results should be known around 11:30 pm on Sunday (0430 GMT Monday). Peruvians will also vote for 130 members of congress.

Peru will vote for a new president on Sunday in a wide-open election framed by a deadly surge in coronavirus cases, and under the long shadow of a constitutional crisis last year that saw the Andean nation go through three leaders in a week.

As candidates closed their campaigns, pollsters say half a dozen of them are still in the running for a top two spot, which would see them move into a second round run-off vote in June. Predicting which two will make it, they say, is impossible.

"These are the most fragmented elections in history, we have never reached the eve of the election with so many candidates in with a chance," Alfredo Torres, head of local pollster Ipsos Peru told reporters on Thursday.

The uncertainty over the elections comes as Peru battles the peak of COVID-19 cases with hospitals overwhelmed and after the world's no. 2 copper producer suffered its worst economic drop in three decades last year. The twists and turns have buffeted markets and Peru's sol currency.

In the final pre-election polls, Keiko Fujimori, the daughter of the imprisoned ex-president Alberto Fujimori, has climbed to the top of the pack, but with a slim lead. A radical leftist professor Pedro Castillo has also shot up from nowhere.

No candidate has more than 13% of the voting intention and 'no vote' still remains the most popular single choice.

Close behind are Yonhy Lescano, the recent poll leader whose populist style has lured voters, Opus Dei member Rafael López Aliaga, liberal economist Hernando de Soto and leftist Verónika Mendoza. Ex-soccer star George Forsyth also remains in the mix.

Castillo, 51, who has surprised pollsters to suddenly arrive near the top of the pack, closed his campaign on Thursday night calling for a change to Peru's Magna Carta, something the country's youth had called for amid angry protests last year.

"The time has come to recover the homeland through a new political Constitution," he said.

Pollsters said that Peru's 25 million registered voters were disenchanted with all candidates, and that more radical positions were gaining amid wider uncertainties.

"We are facing a voter who is very unhappy with all the options they have to choose from," said Urpi Torrado, the executive president of pollster Datum International.

Fujimori, 45, closed her campaign with a caravan of supporters holding banners with the letter "K" and orange flags of her Popular Force party. Her father, a powerful political figure in the country, is credited for defeating the leftist Shining Path rebel group and bolstering the economy, but later fled Peru amid allegations of corruption and human rights abuses at the end of his 10-year administration.

There are 18 presidential candidates and Peruvians will also elect 130 members of the unicameral Congress. Voting is mandatory with a fine of up to $25.

The polls open at 0700 (1200 GMT) on Sunday and close 12 hours later, when pollster Ipsos Peru will give an exit poll. The electoral office has announced that it will offer its first partial result at 1130 pm local time (0430 GMT on Monday).

Peru will vote for a new president on Sunday in a wide-open election framed by a deadly surge in coronavirus cases, and under the long shadow of a constitutional crisis last year that saw the Andean nation go through three leaders in a week.

Peru will vote for a new president on Sunday in a wide-open election framed by a deadly surge in coronavirus cases, and under the long shadow of a constitutional crisis last year that saw the Andean nation go through three leaders in a week. As candidates closed their campaigns, pollsters say half a dozen of them are still in the running for a top two spot, which would see them move into a second round run-off vote in June. Predicting which two will make it, they say, is impossible. "These are the most fragmented elections in history, we have never reached the eve of the election with so many candidates in with a chance," Alfredo Torres, head of local pollster Ipsos Peru told reporters on Thursday. The uncertainty over the elections comes as Peru battles the peak of COVID-19 cases with hospitals overwhelmed and after the world's no. 2 copper producer suffered its worst economic drop in three decades last year. The twists and turns have buffeted markets and Peru's sol currency. In the final pre-election polls, Keiko Fujimori, the daughter of the imprisoned ex-president Alberto Fujimori, has climbed to the top of the pack, but with a slim lead. A radical leftist professor Pedro Castillo has also shot up from nowhere. No candidate has more than 13% of the voting intention and 'no vote' still remains the most popular single choice. Close behind are Yonhy Lescano, the recent poll leader whose populist style has lured voters, Opus Dei member Rafael López Aliaga, liberal economist Hernando de Soto and leftist Verónika Mendoza. Ex-soccer star George Forsyth also remains in the mix. Castillo, 51, who has surprised pollsters to suddenly arrive near the top of the pack, closed his campaign on Thursday night calling for a change to Peru's Magna Carta, something the country's youth had called for amid angry protests last year. "The time has come to recover the homeland through a new political Constitution," he said. Pollsters said that Peru's 25 million registered voters were disenchanted with all candidates, and that more radical positions were gaining amid wider uncertainties. "We are facing a voter who is very unhappy with all the options they have to choose from," said Urpi Torrado, the executive president of pollster Datum International. Fujimori, 45, closed her campaign with a caravan of supporters holding banners with the letter "K" and orange flags of her Popular Force party. Her father, a powerful political figure in the country, is credited for defeating the leftist Shining Path rebel group and bolstering the economy, but later fled Peru amid allegations of corruption and human rights abuses at the end of his 10-year administration. There are 18 presidential candidates and Peruvians will also elect 130 members of the unicameral Congress. Voting is mandatory with a fine of up to $25. The polls open at 0700 (1200 GMT) on Sunday and close 12 hours later, when pollster Ipsos Peru will give an exit poll. The electoral office has announced that it will offer its first partial result at 1130 pm local time (0430 GMT on Monday).

Peru braces for 'most fragmented election in history' as pandemic grips

Peru was busy distributing ballots in polling stations on Saturday (April 10) as the country's prepares to vote for a new president.

The election on Sunday (April 11) is being framed by a deadly surge in coronavirus cases and held under the long shadow of a constitutional crisis last year that saw the Andean nation go through three leaders in a week.

Ballots were distributed amid tight security provided by the National Police force.

As candidates closed their campaigns, pollsters say half a dozen of them are still in the running for a top two spot, which would see them move into a second round run-off vote in June. Predicting which two will make it, they say, is impossible.

The uncertainty over the elections comes as Peru battles the peak of COVID-19 cases with hospitals overwhelmed and after the world's no. 2 copper producer suffered its worst economic drop in three decades last year. The twists and turns have buffeted markets and Peru's sol currency.

In the final pre-election polls, Keiko Fujimori, 45, the daughter of the imprisoned ex-president Alberto Fujimori, has climbed to the top of the pack, but with a slim lead. A radical leftist professor Pedro Castillo, 51, has also shot up from nowhere.

No candidate has more than 13% of the voting intention and 'no vote' still remains the most popular single choice.

Close behind are Yonhy Lescano, 62, the recent poll leader whose populist style has lured voters, Opus Dei member Rafael López Aliaga, 60, liberal economist Hernando de Soto, 79, and leftist Verónika Mendoza, 40. Ex-soccer star George Forsyth, 38, also remains in the mix.

Castillo, who has surprised pollsters to suddenly arrive near the top of the pack, closed his campaign on Thursday night calling for a change to Peru's Magna Carta, something the country's youth had called for amid angry protests last year.

Pollsters said that Peru's 25 million registered voters were disenchanted with all candidates, and that more radical positions were gaining amid wider uncertainties.

There are 18 presidential candidates and Peruvians will also elect 130 members of the unicameral Congress. Voting is mandatory with a fine of up to $25.

The polls open at 0700 (1200 GMT) on Sunday and close 12 hours later, when pollster Ipsos Peru will give an exit poll. The electoral office has announced that it will offer its first partial result at 1130 pm local time (0430 GMT on Monday)

Peru was busy distributing ballots in polling stations on Saturday (April 10) as the country's prepares to vote for a new president. The election on Sunday (April 11) is being framed by a deadly surge in coronavirus cases and held under the long shadow of a constitutional crisis last year that saw the Andean nation go through three leaders in a week.

Peru was busy distributing ballots in polling stations on Saturday (April 10) as the country's prepares to vote for a new president. The election on Sunday (April 11) is being framed by a deadly surge in coronavirus cases and held under the long shadow of a constitutional crisis last year that saw the Andean nation go through three leaders in a week. Ballots were distributed amid tight security provided by the National Police force. As candidates closed their campaigns, pollsters say half a dozen of them are still in the running for a top two spot, which would see them move into a second round run-off vote in June. Predicting which two will make it, they say, is impossible. The uncertainty over the elections comes as Peru battles the peak of COVID-19 cases with hospitals overwhelmed and after the world's no. 2 copper producer suffered its worst economic drop in three decades last year. The twists and turns have buffeted markets and Peru's sol currency. In the final pre-election polls, Keiko Fujimori, 45, the daughter of the imprisoned ex-president Alberto Fujimori, has climbed to the top of the pack, but with a slim lead. A radical leftist professor Pedro Castillo, 51, has also shot up from nowhere. No candidate has more than 13% of the voting intention and 'no vote' still remains the most popular single choice. Close behind are Yonhy Lescano, 62, the recent poll leader whose populist style has lured voters, Opus Dei member Rafael López Aliaga, 60, liberal economist Hernando de Soto, 79, and leftist Verónika Mendoza, 40. Ex-soccer star George Forsyth, 38, also remains in the mix. Castillo, who has surprised pollsters to suddenly arrive near the top of the pack, closed his campaign on Thursday night calling for a change to Peru's Magna Carta, something the country's youth had called for amid angry protests last year. Pollsters said that Peru's 25 million registered voters were disenchanted with all candidates, and that more radical positions were gaining amid wider uncertainties. There are 18 presidential candidates and Peruvians will also elect 130 members of the unicameral Congress. Voting is mandatory with a fine of up to $25. The polls open at 0700 (1200 GMT) on Sunday and close 12 hours later, when pollster Ipsos Peru will give an exit poll. The electoral office has announced that it will offer its first partial result at 1130 pm local time (0430 GMT on Monday)

Peru distributes ballots as country prepares to vote

Peru has recorded 11,260 new Coronavirus cases in a single day. The country is suffering from the spread of a more contagious variant known as P1 which was first identified in Brazil.

Coronavirus Update: Brazilian P1 COVID-19 variant spreads across Peru

Archaeologists have identified a 3,200-year-old mural painted on the side of an ancient adobe temple in northern Peru.&nbsp;

The mural discovered last year in the Virú province of the country's La Libertad region after much of the site was demolished by farmers in an attempt to increase their area for avocado and sugarcane plantations.

This artwork is on a white background and the designs of the figures are in colours ochre, yellow, grey and white.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="http://wionews.com/world/egypt-4200-year-old-funerary-temple-for-a-queen-discovered-358625">Egypt: 4,200-year-old funerary temple for a queen discovered</a>

It is believed that the temple depicts a spider god related to rain and fertility.&nbsp;

Experts claim the shrine was constructed by the pre-Columbian Cupisnique culture, which developed along Peru's northern coast over 3,000 years ago.

Its location, says archaeologist Régulo Franco Jordán, has led to archaeologists believe that it was built in honour of water deities.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="http://wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-1300-year-old-ancient-hindu-temple-discovered-in-swat-district-344484">Pakistan: 1300 year old ancient Hindu temple discovered in Swat district</a>

"What we have here is a shrine that would have been a ceremonial centre thousands of years ago," Jordán told La República newspaper.

"The spider on the shrine is associated with water and was an incredibly important animal in pre-Hispanic cultures, which lived according to a ceremonial calendar. It's likely that there was a special, sacred water ceremony held between January and March when the rains came down from the higher areas."

Archaeologists have identified a 3,200-year-old mural painted on the side of an ancient adobe temple in northern Peru. The mural discovered last year in the Virú province of the country's La Libertad region after much of the site was demolished by farmers in an attempt to increase their area for avocado and sugarcane plantations.

Archaeologists have identified a 3,200-year-old mural painted on the side of an ancient adobe temple in northern Peru. The mural discovered last year in the Virú province of the country's La Libertad region after much of the site was demolished by farmers in an attempt to increase their area for avocado and sugarcane plantations. This artwork is on a white background and the designs of the figures are in colours ochre, yellow, grey and white. Also read | Egypt: 4,200-year-old funerary temple for a queen discovered It is believed that the temple depicts a spider god related to rain and fertility. Experts claim the shrine was constructed by the pre-Columbian Cupisnique culture, which developed along Peru's northern coast over 3,000 years ago. Its location, says archaeologist Régulo Franco Jordán, has led to archaeologists believe that it was built in honour of water deities. Also read | Pakistan: 1300 year old ancient Hindu temple discovered in Swat district "What we have here is a shrine that would have been a ceremonial centre thousands of years ago," Jordán told La República newspaper. "The spider on the shrine is associated with water and was an incredibly important animal in pre-Hispanic cultures, which lived according to a ceremonial calendar. It's likely that there was a special, sacred water ceremony held between January and March when the rains came down from the higher areas."

3,200-year-old temple mural of spider god in Peru identified

Just two days after receiving 300,000 vaccine doses from state-owned Chinese company Sinopharm, Peru began its coronavirus immunization programme on Tuesday.&nbsp;

The country has been hard hit by a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping Latin America.&nbsp;

It has recorded around 1.2 million cases and more than 42,000 deaths from Covid-19 among its population of 33 million.&nbsp;

Hospitals are overrun with almost 13,800 Covid patients while they have also reported a lack of oxygen to treat those with breathing problems.&nbsp;

Healthcare workers at several hospitals in the capital Lima were the first to receive the vaccine on Tuesday morning.&nbsp;

Armed forces airplanes left the capital to take vaccines to the worst-hit regions of the country, such as the jungle area of Huanuco, some 350 kilometers (220 miles) northeast of Lima.&nbsp;

Peru will receive another 700,000 doses of the Chinese vaccine on Sunday. It has agreed to purchase 38 million doses of the Sinopharm vaccine and another 20 million of the Pfizer/BioNTech one.&nbsp;

Other deals have been made to purchase 14 million AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccines and 13.2 million Covax jabs.&nbsp;

Authorities are yet to announce when immunization of the wider population will begin, but the country plans to vaccinate 26 million people.&nbsp;

The government of President Francisco Sagasti has received harsh criticism over the delays in unrolling an immunization programme compared to neighbours Chile and Bolivia.&nbsp;

Sagasti himself was vaccinated on Tuesday evening at a Lima hospital.&nbsp;

"Don't be afraid of the vaccine," he said, adding that he hoped all "Peruvians are vaccinated this year."&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Argentina announced it has approved the emergency use of the Indian-made Covishield vaccine.&nbsp;

The Covishield vaccine is essentially the same as the British developed AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine that previously received approval in late December.&nbsp;

Argentina has also approved the use of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine, having already received 820,000 doses.&nbsp;

It began its immunization programme on December 29 and has so far only used the Sputnik V vaccine.

Just two days after receiving 300,000 vaccine doses from state-owned Chinese company Sinopharm, Peru began its coronavirus immunization programme on Tuesday. The country has been hard hit by a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping Latin America.

Just two days after receiving 300,000 vaccine doses from state-owned Chinese company Sinopharm, Peru began its coronavirus immunization programme on Tuesday. The country has been hard hit by a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping Latin America. It has recorded around 1.2 million cases and more than 42,000 deaths from Covid-19 among its population of 33 million. Hospitals are overrun with almost 13,800 Covid patients while they have also reported a lack of oxygen to treat those with breathing problems. Healthcare workers at several hospitals in the capital Lima were the first to receive the vaccine on Tuesday morning. Armed forces airplanes left the capital to take vaccines to the worst-hit regions of the country, such as the jungle area of Huanuco, some 350 kilometers (220 miles) northeast of Lima. Peru will receive another 700,000 doses of the Chinese vaccine on Sunday. It has agreed to purchase 38 million doses of the Sinopharm vaccine and another 20 million of the Pfizer/BioNTech one. Other deals have been made to purchase 14 million AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccines and 13.2 million Covax jabs. Authorities are yet to announce when immunization of the wider population will begin, but the country plans to vaccinate 26 million people. The government of President Francisco Sagasti has received harsh criticism over the delays in unrolling an immunization programme compared to neighbours Chile and Bolivia. Sagasti himself was vaccinated on Tuesday evening at a Lima hospital. "Don't be afraid of the vaccine," he said, adding that he hoped all "Peruvians are vaccinated this year." Meanwhile, Argentina announced it has approved the emergency use of the Indian-made Covishield vaccine. The Covishield vaccine is essentially the same as the British developed AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine that previously received approval in late December. Argentina has also approved the use of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine, having already received 820,000 doses. It began its immunization programme on December 29 and has so far only used the Sputnik V vaccine.

Peru begins Covid inoculation, Argentina approves Covishield vaccine

A zoo in the Peruvian capital, Lima, is thrilled after two endangered baby American crocodiles were born in the zoo last month through artificial insemination.

Peru zoo welcomes two baby crocodiles born through artificial insemination

The Coronavirus outbreak has made a huge impact on economic, social and political fronts in many Latin American countries. WION brings you a report.

Latin America reels from Coronavirus outbreak

Tombs containing the remains of two children thought to have belonged to the Incan societal elite have been discovered by a group of experts in northern Peru in the boundaries of a 500-year-old archaeological site, the leader of the team that carried out the excavations said on Thursday (January 21).

Children of Incan nobles found entombed in Peru after 500 years

Peruvian shamans met at San Martin plaza in downtown Lima to perform a mystical ceremony on Tuesday (December 29), where they predicted the end to the coronavirus pandemic in the new year.

'The pandemic will disappear!' - Peru shamans reveal 2021 predictions

Christmas has gone to the dogs in Peru. A stream of pampered pooches have donned on their festive best as part of a canine costume parade to help herald in the season.

It's Santa Paws. Peru's pooches put on canine Christmas parade

South American Nation Peru has temporarily suspended the clinical trials of the Chinese COVID-19 Vaccine Sinopharm. This after Peru detected a Neurological problems in one of its test volunteer.

Peru temporarily suspends Chinese Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine

Peru has temporarily suspended clinical trials of a COVID vaccine made by Chinese drug giant Sinopharm after detecting neurological problems in one of its test volunteers.

Peru has temporarily suspended clinical trials of a Covid vaccine made by Chinese drug giant Sinopharm after detecting neurological problems in one of its test volunteers.

The National Institute of Health said Friday that it had decided to interrupt the trial after a volunteer had difficulty moving their arms, according to local media.

"Several days ago we signaled, as we are required, to the regulatory authorities that one of our participants (in trials) presented neurological symptoms which could correspond to a condition called Guillain-Barre syndrome," said chief researcher German Malaga in comments to the press.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare and non-contagious disorder which affects the movement of the arms and legs. Peru declared a temporary health emergency in five regions in June last year following multiple cases.&nbsp;

In the 1970s a campaign to innoculate Americans against a supposedly devastating strain of swine flu ground to a halt after some 450 of those vaccinated developed the syndrome, which can also cause paralysis.

Peru's clinical trials for the Sinopharm vaccine were due to conclude this week, after testing around 12,000 people.&nbsp;

If they are successful -- which won't be known until mid-2021 -- the Peruvian government was expected to buy up to 20 million doses to inoculate two-thirds of its population.

60,000 across the globe have already taken the Sinopharm vaccine, including volunteers in Argentina, Russia and Saudi Arabia.&nbsp;

Peru has one of the world's highest per capita death rate from the virus, which as of Friday had caused 36,499 deaths and 979,111 infections.&nbsp;

The pandemic has hit the South American country's economy hard, with GDP plunging more than 30 percent in the second quarter.

Peru has temporarily suspended clinical trials of a Covid vaccine made by Chinese drug giant Sinopharm after detecting neurological problems in one of its test volunteers.

Peru has temporarily suspended clinical trials of a Covid vaccine made by Chinese drug giant Sinopharm after detecting neurological problems in one of its test volunteers. The National Institute of Health said Friday that it had decided to interrupt the trial after a volunteer had difficulty moving their arms, according to local media. "Several days ago we signaled, as we are required, to the regulatory authorities that one of our participants (in trials) presented neurological symptoms which could correspond to a condition called Guillain-Barre syndrome," said chief researcher German Malaga in comments to the press. Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare and non-contagious disorder which affects the movement of the arms and legs. Peru declared a temporary health emergency in five regions in June last year following multiple cases. In the 1970s a campaign to innoculate Americans against a supposedly devastating strain of swine flu ground to a halt after some 450 of those vaccinated developed the syndrome, which can also cause paralysis. Peru's clinical trials for the Sinopharm vaccine were due to conclude this week, after testing around 12,000 people. If they are successful -- which won't be known until mid-2021 -- the Peruvian government was expected to buy up to 20 million doses to inoculate two-thirds of its population. 60,000 across the globe have already taken the Sinopharm vaccine, including volunteers in Argentina, Russia and Saudi Arabia. Peru has one of the world's highest per capita death rate from the virus, which as of Friday had caused 36,499 deaths and 979,111 infections. The pandemic has hit the South American country's economy hard, with GDP plunging more than 30 percent in the second quarter.

Peru suspends clinical trials of Chinese Covid vaccine

Peru's Congress on Friday repealed a farming law that had triggered days of roadblocks and other protests by striking workers.

The protesters erupted with joy and immediately began lifting the blockades that had choked many stretches of the north-south Pan-American Highway.

"We did it!" protesters chanted at one blockade site in Ica, around 155 miles (250 kilometers) south of Lima. There, an estimated 2,000 trucks and buses had been stuck for days.

The strikers were demanding wage increases and the repeal of a decades-old law, recently extended until 2031, that sought to boost farm exports and gave exporters tax breaks. The strikers also said it set their wages unfairly low.

President Francisco Sagasti sent a bill to congress Friday to repeal the law in the face of the five days of protests, and it passed by a vote of 114 in favor, two against and seven abstentions.

On Thursday, police opened fire on one group of protesting farm workers, killing one, in the first labor dispute confronting Sagasti.

Sagasti took power just two weeks ago amid an acute political crisis during which Peru had three presidents in just one week.

Peru's Congress on Friday repealed a farming law that had triggered days of roadblocks and other protests by striking workers. The protesters erupted with joy and immediately began lifting the blockades that had choked many stretches of the north-south Pan-American Highway.

Peru's Congress on Friday repealed a farming law that had triggered days of roadblocks and other protests by striking workers. The protesters erupted with joy and immediately began lifting the blockades that had choked many stretches of the north-south Pan-American Highway. "We did it!" protesters chanted at one blockade site in Ica, around 155 miles (250 kilometers) south of Lima. There, an estimated 2,000 trucks and buses had been stuck for days. The strikers were demanding wage increases and the repeal of a decades-old law, recently extended until 2031, that sought to boost farm exports and gave exporters tax breaks. The strikers also said it set their wages unfairly low. President Francisco Sagasti sent a bill to congress Friday to repeal the law in the face of the five days of protests, and it passed by a vote of 114 in favor, two against and seven abstentions. On Thursday, police opened fire on one group of protesting farm workers, killing one, in the first labor dispute confronting Sagasti. Sagasti took power just two weeks ago amid an acute political crisis during which Peru had three presidents in just one week.

Peru repeals farm law after days of road blockades

Labor groups in Peru took to the streets of Lima on Tuesday (November 24) to demand better working conditions and increased wages.

Peru labor groups take to the streets to demand better wages

After a weekend of violent protests, Peru's interim President Manuel Merino stepped down. He became the third President to be forced out of office in 3 years, plunging the country into another political crisis.

Gravitas: Peru's interim President resigns after 5-day tenure

Just five days after taking office, Peru's President Manuel Merino submitted his resignation on Sunday, leading to celebrations in the capital Lima post demonstrations against his rule.

"I want to let the whole country know that I'm resigning," said Merino in a televised address.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-of-peruvians-rally-against-manuel-merino-interim-government-stands-firm-343229">Thousands of Peruvians rally against Manuel Merino, interim government stands firm</a>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Following Merino's resignation, Peru will appoint its third president in one week in a new Congress session on Sunday evening.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/perus-surprise-new-leader-stokes-anger-fear-in-a-traumatized-country-342382?fbclid=IwAR0awojjjEg9yF37Txu5s1AagIqD7uN0e3D0lFOxquPxmjRsgWmMsbCbmQ4">Peru’s surprise new leader stokes anger, fear in a traumatized country</a>

Peru has seen some of its largest protests in decades following the impeachment of Merino's predecessor Martin Vizcarra.

The protests were largely peaceful but led to clashes too and in a police crackdown, two demonstrators were killed on Saturday.&nbsp;

Merino remained president for less than a week after Peru's Congress voted on November 9 to remove Vizcarra as president over bribery allegations, which he rejects.&nbsp;

Merino said that the 18 ministers who took office on Thursday would temporarily remain in their posts to avoid a "power vacuum".&nbsp;

His resignation led to noisy celebrations in the capital city, with people banging pots, sounding horns, waving flags and chanting.&nbsp;

However, the political crisis in the country comes at a time when the country is grappling with coronavirus pandemic and is expecting to face the worst economic contraction in a century.&nbsp;

Just five days after taking office, Peru's President Manuel Merino submitted his resignation on Sunday, leading to celebrations in the capital Lima post demonstrations against his rule.

Just five days after taking office, Peru's President Manuel Merino submitted his resignation on Sunday, leading to celebrations in the capital Lima post demonstrations against his rule. "I want to let the whole country know that I'm resigning," said Merino in a televised address. Also read | Thousands of Peruvians rally against Manuel Merino, interim government stands firm Following Merino's resignation, Peru will appoint its third president in one week in a new Congress session on Sunday evening. Also read | Peru’s surprise new leader stokes anger, fear in a traumatized country Peru has seen some of its largest protests in decades following the impeachment of Merino's predecessor Martin Vizcarra. The protests were largely peaceful but led to clashes too and in a police crackdown, two demonstrators were killed on Saturday. Merino remained president for less than a week after Peru's Congress voted on November 9 to remove Vizcarra as president over bribery allegations, which he rejects. Merino said that the 18 ministers who took office on Thursday would temporarily remain in their posts to avoid a "power vacuum". His resignation led to noisy celebrations in the capital city, with people banging pots, sounding horns, waving flags and chanting. However, the political crisis in the country comes at a time when the country is grappling with coronavirus pandemic and is expecting to face the worst economic contraction in a century.

Manuel Merino resigns as President of Peru

Peruvian lawmakers and the country`s top court were set to debate on Monday who should take over as president after Congress failed overnight to name a candidate to become the third leader in the space of a week marred by deadly protests. 
 
The Andean country`s interim leader, Manuel Merino, resigned on Sunday, after the ouster last week of his predecessor, centrist Martin Vizcarra, had sparked off protests and dragged the country into a constitutional crisis. 
 
The political upheaval adds to the uncertainty facing Peru, the world`s no. 2 copper producer, already hard hit by COVID-19 and heading for its worst economic contraction in a century. 
 
Peru`s fragmented and unpopular Congress will vote at 2 p.m. (1900 GMT) after an unsuccessful midnight vote to select the only name then put forward, Rocío Silva-Santisteban, a leftist human rights defender. 
 
"There is a political immaturity from some and a lack of self-awareness from others in the face of what has happened in the country in the last week," legislator Alberto de Belaunde, from the centrist Morado Party, told reporters. 
 
His party is now nominating lawmaker Francisco Sagasti, a 76-year-old industrial engineer and former World Bank official. 
 
"The main thing for Peru is to regain stability and for this nightmare to end," de Belaunde added. 
 
The recent crisis started when Vizcarra, a popular independent who has long clashed with Congress over his anti-corruption stance, was impeached and removed from office by lawmakers last week over allegations of graft, which he denies. 
 
It was the second impeachment Vizcarra had faced in two months, after surviving the first one in September. 
 
Merino, who as president of the Congress led the impeachments, succeeded Vizcarra. But he too resigned, after two people died in protests against his fledgling government and lawmakers threatened to impeach him unless he stood down. 
 
Peru`s top court will also begin debating on Monday whether the impeachment and ouster of Vizcarra were constitutional, potentially opening the door for a dramatic return. 
 
Citi said in a note that Vizcarra`s return was possible, though it would be unusual for the Constitutional Tribunal (TC) to overrule Congress. Both that outcome and the choice of Sagasti would likely help the situation. 
 
Peru`s sovereign bonds fell on Monday amid fears of a political vacuum and the currency hit a record low. 
 
"We believe that in the event the TC rules in a way that would allow for Vizcarra`s return, markets would take that well. If Sagasti is elected, that might be enough to settle the market`s nerves as well," Citi said in a note. 
 
"(However) tensions are likely to remain high for now, and the situation places downside risks on our macro outlook."

Peruvian lawmakers and the country`s top court were set to debate on Monday who should take over as president after Congress failed overnight to name a candidate to become the third leader in the space of a week marred by deadly protests.

Peruvian lawmakers and the country`s top court were set to debate on Monday who should take over as president after Congress failed overnight to name a candidate to become the third leader in the space of a week marred by deadly protests. The Andean country`s interim leader, Manuel Merino, resigned on Sunday, after the ouster last week of his predecessor, centrist Martin Vizcarra, had sparked off protests and dragged the country into a constitutional crisis. The political upheaval adds to the uncertainty facing Peru, the world`s no. 2 copper producer, already hard hit by COVID-19 and heading for its worst economic contraction in a century. Peru`s fragmented and unpopular Congress will vote at 2 p.m. (1900 GMT) after an unsuccessful midnight vote to select the only name then put forward, Rocío Silva-Santisteban, a leftist human rights defender. "There is a political immaturity from some and a lack of self-awareness from others in the face of what has happened in the country in the last week," legislator Alberto de Belaunde, from the centrist Morado Party, told reporters. His party is now nominating lawmaker Francisco Sagasti, a 76-year-old industrial engineer and former World Bank official. "The main thing for Peru is to regain stability and for this nightmare to end," de Belaunde added. The recent crisis started when Vizcarra, a popular independent who has long clashed with Congress over his anti-corruption stance, was impeached and removed from office by lawmakers last week over allegations of graft, which he denies. It was the second impeachment Vizcarra had faced in two months, after surviving the first one in September. Merino, who as president of the Congress led the impeachments, succeeded Vizcarra. But he too resigned, after two people died in protests against his fledgling government and lawmakers threatened to impeach him unless he stood down. Peru`s top court will also begin debating on Monday whether the impeachment and ouster of Vizcarra were constitutional, potentially opening the door for a dramatic return. Citi said in a note that Vizcarra`s return was possible, though it would be unusual for the Constitutional Tribunal (TC) to overrule Congress. Both that outcome and the choice of Sagasti would likely help the situation. Peru`s sovereign bonds fell on Monday amid fears of a political vacuum and the currency hit a record low. "We believe that in the event the TC rules in a way that would allow for Vizcarra`s return, markets would take that well. If Sagasti is elected, that might be enough to settle the market`s nerves as well," Citi said in a note. "(However) tensions are likely to remain high for now, and the situation places downside risks on our macro outlook."

Crisis-hit Peru seeks third president in a week to exit 'nightmare'

Peru's Interim President Manuel Merino, amid nationwide fury over the killing of two protesters during massive pro-democracy demonstrations, has resigned from his chair on Saturday.

Peru: Interim President announces his resignation after 2 protesters' death

peru

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