The latest political shake-up comes as Peru battles the coronavirus pandemic and what is expected to be its worst economic contraction in a century.

Peru’s interim president Merino resigns after deadly protest

Fight against leadership: Peru residents protest against President impeachment

Mirelis Morales contributed reporting from Lima, Peru, and Isayen Herrera contributed reporting from Caracas, Venezuela.

A devastating pandemic, the deepest economic crisis on record, and now, the fourth president in five years.

Exhausted by this year’s turmoil, Peruvians woke up Tuesday to yet another shock. This time, it was one of their leaders’ making: The country’s deeply disliked Congress had voted Monday night to impeach Martín Vizcarra, a popular, if flawed, president, for “moral incapacity,” just five months before new elections.

By Tuesday morning, just thirteen hours later, Congress had sworn in a new president — Manuel Merino, the little-known rice farmer who had been head of Congress.

And the population was left reeling, astonished and furious at a political system many saw as willing to risk instability in pursuit of petty political disputes instead focusing on the country’s pressing problems.

“All of us Peruvians are disappointed in the people who govern us,” said Andrés Cordero, an unemployed electrician. “They’ve been promising change for a long time and it always ends the same way.”

The spreading national malaise marks a stark turnaround from Peru’s fortunes before the pandemic, when the country posted Latin America’s highest economic growth rates and fell behind Vizcarra’s ambitious attempts to stamp out deep-seated corruption.

Now, Vizcarra has been accused of the same crimes he pledged to combat, becoming Peru’s sixth president in a row to be investigated for corruption, after leaked witness testimonies appeared to show him accepting bribes during his time as a provincial governor.

Vizcarra came to power after the previous president, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, resigned in one of several corruption scandals that have ensnared politicians, businessmen, judges and prosecutors in recent years. As Kuczynski’s vice president, Vizcarra stepped into the office.

While polls show that vast majority of Peruvians want Vizcarra to face justice, his swift removal by Congress, before the accusations were proven, has provoked even greater public outrage.

Hundreds of protesters took to the streets in the capital, Lima, on Tuesday to denounce what they called a congressional “coup,” accusing lawmakers of perverting justice for personal benefit in a moment of grave national crisis. They clashed with riot police outside Congress, who dispersed them with tear gas and rubber pellets.

Protests and clashes also erupted in several other cities, according to local media.

“This has been the drop that overflowed the glass of political destabilization,” said Elsa Soldevilla, a 27-year-old student who joined the protest. “If Vizcarra has a crime to pay, let him do it in courts. The Congress doesn’t need to exploit this.”

The popular anger over Vizcarra’s ouster quickly spread to Peru’s other political institutions, undermining the last vestiges of legitimacy of a system that many citizens consider beyond repair. Some at the protests have blamed the country’s top court, which had declined to weigh in on the previous attempt by the Congress to remove Vizcarra — in September, less than two months ago — for an unrelated and also still unproven offense.

The court is still evaluating Vizcarra’s request for clarification on the use of the country’s archaic impeachment clause, which allows lawmakers to remove presidents who they consider morally or mentally unfit for office on grounds of “permanent moral incapacity.” The request was filed in September.

The criticism of Vizcarra’s ouster was amplified by its timing. The former president had eight months left in office and had said he would not seek reelection in the general elections scheduled for April.

He had also promised to face the prosecutors to defend himself against corruption charges after leaving power. In his defense speech in Congress shortly before being impeached, he had accused his opponents of hypocrisy, pointing out that 68 of the country’s 130 congressmen were under investigation for crimes such as corruption or money laundering themselves.

Under Peru’s law, lawmakers enjoy parliamentary immunity, a benefit that Vizcarra had unsuccessfully attempted to remove during his campaign to overhaul the country’s governance.

Vizcarra’s political undoing has been partly of his own doing. By limiting the lawmakers’ time in office to one term in an effort to ostensibly limit corruption, Vizcarra has removed the incentive for responsible and experienced politicians to seek careers in Congress, said Diego Moya-Ocampos, a political risk analyst at the consultancy IHS Markit, in London.

The result has been a raucous, fractious legislature filled with rookie, little-known politicians from a dozen parties, including the political wing of a messianic religious group and supporters of a jailed former military officer who advocate firing squads for corrupt officials.

Merino, the new president, promised to focus on the pandemic and honor the scheduled Apr. 11 election date.

“Today the population looks at us with expectation but also with concern,” he said in his acceptance speech Tuesday. “Our commitment is to carry out a democratic transition.”

But the impeachment left many in Peru dispirited, worried that the country is headed for greater political instability just as it tries to recover from one of the world’s worst coronavirus outbreaks, and reopen its battered economy. Peru’s gross domestic product is set to contract 14% this year, according to the International Monetary Fund — the largest decline since the nation began collecting economic statistics in 1951.

David Rivera, a Peruvian political analyst, said the widespread opposition to Vizcarra’s impeachment would likely make it hard for Merino to find qualified professionals to fill key positions in an interim government.

“What serious technocrat or politician is going to want to be a minister with Merino?” he said. “I don’t even want to imagine what this administration is going to be like.”

Lacking legitimacy and popular support, Merino may resort to populist measures to govern, such as lowering sales taxes and allowing citizens to withdraw money from their private insurance schemes, said analysts.

An even larger risk is that the new government will use its short time in office to pass laws benefiting their members’ business interests, said Martín Tanaka, a political scientist at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, in Lima.

“The big problem is that in eight months, a lot of damage can be done,” said Tanaka.

Mirelis Morales contributed reporting from Lima, Peru, and Isayen Herrera contributed reporting from Caracas, Venezuela. A devastating pandemic, the deepest economic crisis on record, and now, the fourth president in five years.

Mirelis Morales contributed reporting from Lima, Peru, and Isayen Herrera contributed reporting from Caracas, Venezuela. A devastating pandemic, the deepest economic crisis on record, and now, the fourth president in five years. Exhausted by this year’s turmoil, Peruvians woke up Tuesday to yet another shock. This time, it was one of their leaders’ making: The country’s deeply disliked Congress had voted Monday night to impeach Martín Vizcarra, a popular, if flawed, president, for “moral incapacity,” just five months before new elections. By Tuesday morning, just thirteen hours later, Congress had sworn in a new president — Manuel Merino, the little-known rice farmer who had been head of Congress. And the population was left reeling, astonished and furious at a political system many saw as willing to risk instability in pursuit of petty political disputes instead focusing on the country’s pressing problems. “All of us Peruvians are disappointed in the people who govern us,” said Andrés Cordero, an unemployed electrician. “They’ve been promising change for a long time and it always ends the same way.” The spreading national malaise marks a stark turnaround from Peru’s fortunes before the pandemic, when the country posted Latin America’s highest economic growth rates and fell behind Vizcarra’s ambitious attempts to stamp out deep-seated corruption. Now, Vizcarra has been accused of the same crimes he pledged to combat, becoming Peru’s sixth president in a row to be investigated for corruption, after leaked witness testimonies appeared to show him accepting bribes during his time as a provincial governor. Vizcarra came to power after the previous president, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, resigned in one of several corruption scandals that have ensnared politicians, businessmen, judges and prosecutors in recent years. As Kuczynski’s vice president, Vizcarra stepped into the office. While polls show that vast majority of Peruvians want Vizcarra to face justice, his swift removal by Congress, before the accusations were proven, has provoked even greater public outrage. Hundreds of protesters took to the streets in the capital, Lima, on Tuesday to denounce what they called a congressional “coup,” accusing lawmakers of perverting justice for personal benefit in a moment of grave national crisis. They clashed with riot police outside Congress, who dispersed them with tear gas and rubber pellets. Protests and clashes also erupted in several other cities, according to local media. “This has been the drop that overflowed the glass of political destabilization,” said Elsa Soldevilla, a 27-year-old student who joined the protest. “If Vizcarra has a crime to pay, let him do it in courts. The Congress doesn’t need to exploit this.” The popular anger over Vizcarra’s ouster quickly spread to Peru’s other political institutions, undermining the last vestiges of legitimacy of a system that many citizens consider beyond repair. Some at the protests have blamed the country’s top court, which had declined to weigh in on the previous attempt by the Congress to remove Vizcarra — in September, less than two months ago — for an unrelated and also still unproven offense. The court is still evaluating Vizcarra’s request for clarification on the use of the country’s archaic impeachment clause, which allows lawmakers to remove presidents who they consider morally or mentally unfit for office on grounds of “permanent moral incapacity.” The request was filed in September. The criticism of Vizcarra’s ouster was amplified by its timing. The former president had eight months left in office and had said he would not seek reelection in the general elections scheduled for April. He had also promised to face the prosecutors to defend himself against corruption charges after leaving power. In his defense speech in Congress shortly before being impeached, he had accused his opponents of hypocrisy, pointing out that 68 of the country’s 130 congressmen were under investigation for crimes such as corruption or money laundering themselves. Under Peru’s law, lawmakers enjoy parliamentary immunity, a benefit that Vizcarra had unsuccessfully attempted to remove during his campaign to overhaul the country’s governance. Vizcarra’s political undoing has been partly of his own doing. By limiting the lawmakers’ time in office to one term in an effort to ostensibly limit corruption, Vizcarra has removed the incentive for responsible and experienced politicians to seek careers in Congress, said Diego Moya-Ocampos, a political risk analyst at the consultancy IHS Markit, in London. The result has been a raucous, fractious legislature filled with rookie, little-known politicians from a dozen parties, including the political wing of a messianic religious group and supporters of a jailed former military officer who advocate firing squads for corrupt officials. Merino, the new president, promised to focus on the pandemic and honor the scheduled Apr. 11 election date. “Today the population looks at us with expectation but also with concern,” he said in his acceptance speech Tuesday. “Our commitment is to carry out a democratic transition.” But the impeachment left many in Peru dispirited, worried that the country is headed for greater political instability just as it tries to recover from one of the world’s worst coronavirus outbreaks, and reopen its battered economy. Peru’s gross domestic product is set to contract 14% this year, according to the International Monetary Fund — the largest decline since the nation began collecting economic statistics in 1951. David Rivera, a Peruvian political analyst, said the widespread opposition to Vizcarra’s impeachment would likely make it hard for Merino to find qualified professionals to fill key positions in an interim government. “What serious technocrat or politician is going to want to be a minister with Merino?” he said. “I don’t even want to imagine what this administration is going to be like.” Lacking legitimacy and popular support, Merino may resort to populist measures to govern, such as lowering sales taxes and allowing citizens to withdraw money from their private insurance schemes, said analysts. An even larger risk is that the new government will use its short time in office to pass laws benefiting their members’ business interests, said Martín Tanaka, a political scientist at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, in Lima. “The big problem is that in eight months, a lot of damage can be done,” said Tanaka.

Peru’s surprise new leader stokes anger, fear in a traumatized country

Peru’s Congress ousted President Martín Vizcarra on Monday in an impeachment vote over corruption allegations, prompting immediate tensions in the Andean nation.

Vizcarra said he would accept the Congress vote and not take any legal action and leave the presidential palace.

Head of Congress, Manuel Merino, an agronomist and businessman from the minority Popular Action, is expected to assume the presidency on Tuesday and will remain in office until the end of July 2021, when Vizcarra’s term was due to expire.

Merino called for calm after the vote and assured Peruvians that the April 11 presidential election would go on as planned.

“It is already announced,” he said about the election in an interview with the local station América Televisión.

In the second effort by lawmakers to remove the centrist Vizcarra in a matter of months, the opposition-dominated Congress put forward 105 votes to oust him over accusations that as a governor he accepted bribes from companies that won public works contracts.

The 105 votes far exceeded the 87-vote threshold out of 130 needed to remove him from office. There were 19 votes against his ouster and four abstentions.

Vizcarra has rejected the corruption allegations as “baseless” and “false.”

He warned of “unpredictable consequences” earlier on Monday if lawmakers impeached him just months ahead of the April 11 presidential election, in which he is not eligible to run.

Dozens of people gathered at Plaza San Martín in downtown Lima in support of Vizcarra after the news of his ouster as police officers kept a close eye on the crowd.

Video circulated on social media showing Congressman Ricardo Burga, who voted in favor of the impeachment motion, being punched in the face by a bystander as he spoke to television reporters.

Vizcarra’s removal from office plunges the world’s No. 2 copper producer into political turmoil as it looks to recover from an economic recession brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

Vizcarra, 57, lacked a party in the fragmented Congress, and had a tense relationship with lawmakers, with whom he frequently locked horns over his anti-graft agenda. He dissolved Congress last year after a long-running standoff, a move that prompted criticism by right-wing lawmakers.

Vizcarra survived a first ouster attempt in September in a separate impeachment trial over alleged links to a case of irregular government contracts with a little-known singer. Only 32 in the chamber voted in favor of his ouster in that vote.

In November, however, lawmakers voted to move forward with a new impeachment trial over accusations that Vizcarra accepted bribes from companies that won public works contracts when he was the governor of the southern region of Moquegua.

Vizcarra’s removal could usher in a period of political tensions in the months leading up to elections as Peru is already strained by economic instability and the impact of the pandemic, analysts said.

“Political turmoil related to the latest impeachment process and corruption allegations add to deep distrust of the political class ahead of upcoming elections,” international firm Eurasia said in a report earlier on Monday.

‘COUP IN DISGUISE’

Vizcarra’s government clashed with Merino in recent months over accusations that he tried to invoke the military in his request for Vizcarra’s removal. Merino denied any wrongdoing.

Analysts said Merino could push some populist measures in the months leading up to Peru’s elections.

“[Merino] would probably maintain the existing economic policy framework but advance some populist measures as he tries to win public support,” Eurasia said.

Lawmakers sympathetic to Vizcarra rejected his ouster and warned that the decision would heighten instability in the Andean country.

“This is a coup in disguise. We need calm, but also a lot of citizen surveillance,” George Forsyth, a mayor and one of the early front-runners for the 2021 election, said on Twitter.

Francisco Sagastegui, a lawmaker with the centrist Partido Morado, called the vote an “incorrect decision.”

“We think this is... a decision that adds much more uncertainty, creates problems, and will severely affect our citizens,” Sagastegui said.

Peru’s Congress ousted President Martín Vizcarra on Monday in an impeachment vote over corruption allegations, prompting immediate tensions in the Andean nation.

Peru’s Congress ousted President Martín Vizcarra on Monday in an impeachment vote over corruption allegations, prompting immediate tensions in the Andean nation. Vizcarra said he would accept the Congress vote and not take any legal action and leave the presidential palace. Head of Congress, Manuel Merino, an agronomist and businessman from the minority Popular Action, is expected to assume the presidency on Tuesday and will remain in office until the end of July 2021, when Vizcarra’s term was due to expire. Merino called for calm after the vote and assured Peruvians that the April 11 presidential election would go on as planned. “It is already announced,” he said about the election in an interview with the local station América Televisión. In the second effort by lawmakers to remove the centrist Vizcarra in a matter of months, the opposition-dominated Congress put forward 105 votes to oust him over accusations that as a governor he accepted bribes from companies that won public works contracts. The 105 votes far exceeded the 87-vote threshold out of 130 needed to remove him from office. There were 19 votes against his ouster and four abstentions. Vizcarra has rejected the corruption allegations as “baseless” and “false.” He warned of “unpredictable consequences” earlier on Monday if lawmakers impeached him just months ahead of the April 11 presidential election, in which he is not eligible to run. Dozens of people gathered at Plaza San Martín in downtown Lima in support of Vizcarra after the news of his ouster as police officers kept a close eye on the crowd. Video circulated on social media showing Congressman Ricardo Burga, who voted in favor of the impeachment motion, being punched in the face by a bystander as he spoke to television reporters. Vizcarra’s removal from office plunges the world’s No. 2 copper producer into political turmoil as it looks to recover from an economic recession brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. Vizcarra, 57, lacked a party in the fragmented Congress, and had a tense relationship with lawmakers, with whom he frequently locked horns over his anti-graft agenda. He dissolved Congress last year after a long-running standoff, a move that prompted criticism by right-wing lawmakers. Vizcarra survived a first ouster attempt in September in a separate impeachment trial over alleged links to a case of irregular government contracts with a little-known singer. Only 32 in the chamber voted in favor of his ouster in that vote. In November, however, lawmakers voted to move forward with a new impeachment trial over accusations that Vizcarra accepted bribes from companies that won public works contracts when he was the governor of the southern region of Moquegua. Vizcarra’s removal could usher in a period of political tensions in the months leading up to elections as Peru is already strained by economic instability and the impact of the pandemic, analysts said. “Political turmoil related to the latest impeachment process and corruption allegations add to deep distrust of the political class ahead of upcoming elections,” international firm Eurasia said in a report earlier on Monday. ‘COUP IN DISGUISE’ Vizcarra’s government clashed with Merino in recent months over accusations that he tried to invoke the military in his request for Vizcarra’s removal. Merino denied any wrongdoing. Analysts said Merino could push some populist measures in the months leading up to Peru’s elections. “[Merino] would probably maintain the existing economic policy framework but advance some populist measures as he tries to win public support,” Eurasia said. Lawmakers sympathetic to Vizcarra rejected his ouster and warned that the decision would heighten instability in the Andean country. “This is a coup in disguise. We need calm, but also a lot of citizen surveillance,” George Forsyth, a mayor and one of the early front-runners for the 2021 election, said on Twitter. Francisco Sagastegui, a lawmaker with the centrist Partido Morado, called the vote an “incorrect decision.” “We think this is... a decision that adds much more uncertainty, creates problems, and will severely affect our citizens,” Sagastegui said.

Peru plunged into political upheaval as Congress ousts President Vizcarra

Peruvian government officials released some 1,040 baby Taricaya turtles - of some 850,000 expected to be released this year - into the Nanay River in Peru's Amazon region on Saturday (November 07).

Thousands of baby turtles released into Peruvian Amazon river

A traditional ceremony giving thanks to the earth and a spectacular light show marked the reopening of Peru's world-famous tourist destination Machu Picchu on Sunday (November 1).

'Machu Picchu is back' -Peru reopens world-famous tourist site

Peru has recorded its first-ever case&nbsp;diphtheria after 20 long years after warnings were issued by various international health organisations that the ongoing coronavirus pandemic can affect the routine of vaccination programmes.

The warnings have been issued specifically for the younger generation, who have been negatively affected by the downward spiral in the economy and the availability of the health services in the country due to the pandemic.

Peru is now on a&nbsp;national epidemiological alert to detect other potential cases, bolster vaccinations and curb any potential wider outbreak which is expected to get worse with the commencement of the second wave of coronavirus in several countries. COVID-19 has severely affected Peru with more than 892,000 cases and 34,200 deaths.

As of now, a five-year-old girl&nbsp;living in the capital Lima has been diagnosed with the infectious respiratory disease, the&nbsp;Andean nation’s Public Health Vice Minister Luis Suarez reported on Tuesday. The young girl is in a stable condition and is being closely monitored by a team of doctors.

The case has been diagnosed after almost 20 years, as the last case was cured in 2000, and the&nbsp;Pan American Health Organization had warned in 2019 that the disease may exist in few other countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela and Haiti.

This disease affects the throat and upper airways which causes the dead tissue to build up and the patent, then, finds it difficult to breathe. Just like the novel coronavirus, this disease can also spread through physical contact, and also by respiratory contact. The most severe cases can take the mortality rate beyond 10 per cent.

The United Nations warned in July that immunizations against dangerous diseases, including diphtheria, had dropped alarmingly during the pandemic, with three-fourths of 82 countries reporting disruption to their programs in a May survey because of shortages of protective equipment for health workers, travel restrictions and low staffing.

Suarez admitted that due to lack of funds, the government had only issued 40 per cent of diphtheria and tetanus vaccinations instead of the usual 70 per cent.

Peru has recorded its first-ever case diphtheria after 20 long years after warnings were issued by various international health organisations that the ongoing coronavirus pandemic can affect the routine of vaccination programmes.

Peru has recorded its first-ever case diphtheria after 20 long years after warnings were issued by various international health organisations that the ongoing coronavirus pandemic can affect the routine of vaccination programmes. The warnings have been issued specifically for the younger generation, who have been negatively affected by the downward spiral in the economy and the availability of the health services in the country due to the pandemic. Peru is now on a national epidemiological alert to detect other potential cases, bolster vaccinations and curb any potential wider outbreak which is expected to get worse with the commencement of the second wave of coronavirus in several countries. COVID-19 has severely affected Peru with more than 892,000 cases and 34,200 deaths. As of now, a five-year-old girl living in the capital Lima has been diagnosed with the infectious respiratory disease, the Andean nation’s Public Health Vice Minister Luis Suarez reported on Tuesday. The young girl is in a stable condition and is being closely monitored by a team of doctors. The case has been diagnosed after almost 20 years, as the last case was cured in 2000, and the Pan American Health Organization had warned in 2019 that the disease may exist in few other countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela and Haiti. This disease affects the throat and upper airways which causes the dead tissue to build up and the patent, then, finds it difficult to breathe. Just like the novel coronavirus, this disease can also spread through physical contact, and also by respiratory contact. The most severe cases can take the mortality rate beyond 10 per cent. The United Nations warned in July that immunizations against dangerous diseases, including diphtheria, had dropped alarmingly during the pandemic, with three-fourths of 82 countries reporting disruption to their programs in a May survey because of shortages of protective equipment for health workers, travel restrictions and low staffing. Suarez admitted that due to lack of funds, the government had only issued 40 per cent of diphtheria and tetanus vaccinations instead of the usual 70 per cent.

First case of diphtheria reported in Peru after 20 years

A total of 17 archaeological sites and museums opened their doors across Peru on Thursday, after more than seven months of closure as a measure to reduce the spread of the new coronavirus.

Peru starts reopening archaeological sites

Merchants from Peru's largest wholesale market banded together to donate more than 10 tons of vegetables and fruits to help feed the animals of Parque de las Leyendas, or Park of the Legends, as Lima's zoo is known.

Lima Zoo receives food donations for animals

Peru opened the ruins of Machu Picchu for a single Japanese tourist after he waited almost seven months to enter the Inca citadel, while trapped in the Andean country during the coronavirus outbreak.

Peru opens Machu Picchu for a single Japanese tourist after almost 7-month wait

Some extremely cute additions have arrived at Lima's Parque de Leyendas zoo after the recent hatching of two penguin chicks and the birth of a baby alpaca.

Penguin chicks and a baby alpaca the newest additions to Peru zoo

Peru's Congress on Friday voted to open impeachment proceedings against President Martin Vizcarra for "moral incapacity" over accusations he tried to obstruct a corruption probe against government officials.

The motion was approved by 65 votes, with 36 against and 24 abstentions. Fifty-two votes were required to open the proceedings early next week.

To remove the president, who lacks a party, 87 votes are required. After Vizcarra appears in Congress next Friday to defend himself, the plenary will debate and vote.

Six out of nine parties — representing 95 of the 130 seats in Congress — have backed the motion.

"I'm not going to quit. I do not run," Vizcarra said in a televised address ahead of the vote in which he denied any wrongdoing.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-13-killed-in-stampede-as-club-goers-flee-at-sight-of-peru-police-322566">Also read:&nbsp;At least 13 killed in stampede as club goers flee at sight of Peru police&nbsp;</a>

"We are facing a plot against democracy," he said, adding that he had nothing to hide but that lawmakers should act "with caution, with responsibility, and to take the decision they deem necessary."

Vizcarra, in power since 2018, came under fire after leaked audio recordings in which he is heard telling aides to hide details of his office's controversial hiring of a popular singer as a paid cultural advisor.&nbsp;

In the event of impeachment, legislative speaker Manuel Merino will act as interim leader until the current presidential term ends in July 2021.

Vizcarra has won popular support for an anti-corruption crusade that has put him at loggerheads with opponents in Congress, including over a reform banning convicted criminals from standing for election.

The impeachment motion is reminiscent of the one that forced the resignation of his predecessor Pedro Pablo Kuczynski in 2018, after he became embroiled in the Odebrecht bribes scandal.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/peru-says-over-900-girls-women-feared-dead-since-pandemic-began-316453">Also read: Peru says over 900 girls, women feared dead since pandemic began</a>

It comes as the country is in the throes of an economic crisis triggered by the coronavirus pandemic, which has seen Peru's second-quarter GDP slashed by 30 per cent.

"The dismissal is very dangerous in these circumstances," political analyst Fernando Rospigliosi told AFP, warning against a change of government in the middle of a crisis and with only seven months to go until a general election.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Walter Martos on Friday denounced the move against the president.&nbsp;

"What Congress is doing right now is to stage a coup d'etat, because it is making an arbitrary interpretation of the Constitution," Martos, a retired army general and number two in the government, told radio RPP.

The case exploded in May when the press discovered that, at the height of the pandemic, the Ministry of Culture had hired singer Richard Cisneros, a little-known local artist who boasted in the media that he had been an advisor to the government, as a speaker and entertainer.&nbsp;

Parliament opened an investigation into the alleged irregular contracts for which Cisneros received $10,000.

Peru's Congress on Friday voted to open impeachment proceedings against President Martin Vizcarra for "moral incapacity" over accusations he tried to obstruct a corruption probe against government officials.

Peru's Congress on Friday voted to open impeachment proceedings against President Martin Vizcarra for "moral incapacity" over accusations he tried to obstruct a corruption probe against government officials. The motion was approved by 65 votes, with 36 against and 24 abstentions. Fifty-two votes were required to open the proceedings early next week. To remove the president, who lacks a party, 87 votes are required. After Vizcarra appears in Congress next Friday to defend himself, the plenary will debate and vote. Six out of nine parties — representing 95 of the 130 seats in Congress — have backed the motion. "I'm not going to quit. I do not run," Vizcarra said in a televised address ahead of the vote in which he denied any wrongdoing. Also read: At least 13 killed in stampede as club goers flee at sight of Peru police "We are facing a plot against democracy," he said, adding that he had nothing to hide but that lawmakers should act "with caution, with responsibility, and to take the decision they deem necessary." Vizcarra, in power since 2018, came under fire after leaked audio recordings in which he is heard telling aides to hide details of his office's controversial hiring of a popular singer as a paid cultural advisor. In the event of impeachment, legislative speaker Manuel Merino will act as interim leader until the current presidential term ends in July 2021. Vizcarra has won popular support for an anti-corruption crusade that has put him at loggerheads with opponents in Congress, including over a reform banning convicted criminals from standing for election. The impeachment motion is reminiscent of the one that forced the resignation of his predecessor Pedro Pablo Kuczynski in 2018, after he became embroiled in the Odebrecht bribes scandal. Also read: Peru says over 900 girls, women feared dead since pandemic began It comes as the country is in the throes of an economic crisis triggered by the coronavirus pandemic, which has seen Peru's second-quarter GDP slashed by 30 per cent. "The dismissal is very dangerous in these circumstances," political analyst Fernando Rospigliosi told AFP, warning against a change of government in the middle of a crisis and with only seven months to go until a general election. Prime Minister Walter Martos on Friday denounced the move against the president. "What Congress is doing right now is to stage a coup d'etat, because it is making an arbitrary interpretation of the Constitution," Martos, a retired army general and number two in the government, told radio RPP. The case exploded in May when the press discovered that, at the height of the pandemic, the Ministry of Culture had hired singer Richard Cisneros, a little-known local artist who boasted in the media that he had been an advisor to the government, as a speaker and entertainer. Parliament opened an investigation into the alleged irregular contracts for which Cisneros received $10,000.

Peru's Congress votes to open impeachment proceedings against President

At least six were injured, including three police officers, as around 120 people tried to escape the Thomas Restobar club

At least 13 killed as Peru police raid nightclub for breaking COVID-19 restrictions

At least 13 people were crushed to death or asphyxiated as playgoers tried to flee a Lima nightclub raided by police because it was open in violation of restrictions imposed to fight the coronavirus pandemic, officials said. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/peru-says-over-900-girls-women-feared-dead-since-pandemic-began-316453">Also read: Peru says over 900 girls, women feared dead since pandemic began</a> 
 
At least six were injured, including three police officers, as around 120 people tried to escape the Thomas Restobar club on Saturday night as police arrived to break up a party on its second floor, national police and government officials said. 
 
Neighbors had alerted police about the raucous event at the club in the Los Olivos district of the Peruvian capital.

"In these circumstances when people begin to fight to get out, it's tumultuous, everyone goes against each other," Orlando Velasco of the National Police told local radio station RPP.

An Interior Ministry statement said the revellers tried to squeeze en masse through the only entrance door and became trapped between the door and a staircase leading to the street.

Police detained at least 23 partygoers, the ministry said.

Peru ordered the closure of nightclubs and bars in March and banned extended family gatherings on August&nbsp;12 to fight what is Latin America's second highest COVID-19 infection rate, according to a Reuters tally. A Sunday curfew is also in effect.

Peru had recorded a total of 585,236 coronavirus cases as of Saturday, double the number reported on July 2, while the known death toll has risen to 27,453.

At least 13 people were crushed to death or asphyxiated as playgoers tried to flee a Lima nightclub raided by police because it was open in violation of restrictions imposed to fight the coronavirus pandemic, officials said.

At least 13 people were crushed to death or asphyxiated as playgoers tried to flee a Lima nightclub raided by police because it was open in violation of restrictions imposed to fight the coronavirus pandemic, officials said. Also read: Peru says over 900 girls, women feared dead since pandemic began At least six were injured, including three police officers, as around 120 people tried to escape the Thomas Restobar club on Saturday night as police arrived to break up a party on its second floor, national police and government officials said. Neighbors had alerted police about the raucous event at the club in the Los Olivos district of the Peruvian capital. "In these circumstances when people begin to fight to get out, it's tumultuous, everyone goes against each other," Orlando Velasco of the National Police told local radio station RPP. An Interior Ministry statement said the revellers tried to squeeze en masse through the only entrance door and became trapped between the door and a staircase leading to the street. Police detained at least 23 partygoers, the ministry said. Peru ordered the closure of nightclubs and bars in March and banned extended family gatherings on August 12 to fight what is Latin America's second highest COVID-19 infection rate, according to a Reuters tally. A Sunday curfew is also in effect. Peru had recorded a total of 585,236 coronavirus cases as of Saturday, double the number reported on July 2, while the known death toll has risen to 27,453.

At least 13 killed in stampede as club goers flee at sight of Peru police 

In the last two weeks coronavirus infections in Peru grew by 100,000, the worst record since the disease broke out in the country in March, forcing the government to ban all family gatherings as a new measure to try to stop the pandemic.

Coronavirus Outbreak: Peru reports 100,000 cases in two weeks

The most populated prison in Peru is working to prevent infections caused by the new coronavirus. A prison where a protest demanding sanitary improvements amid the coronavirus pandemic left nine dead and 67 wounded in April, now has inmates who serve as healthcare workers to alert of possible cases of new coronavirus.

Peru's prison system enduring the pandemic

Peru surpassed half a million coronavirus cases and has the highest fatality rate in Latin America, according to health ministry data released on Thursday, as the government struggles to contain a recent surge of infections.

There have been 507,996 confirmed cases and 25,648 related deaths, vice health minister Luis Suarez said at a news conference.

The Andean country has the highest coronavirus death rate in Latin America at 78.6 per 100,000 people, a Reuters tally shows, surpassing hard-hit regional neighbors Chile and Brazil.

President Martin Vizcarra, speaking earlier on Thursday from a public event to pay tribute to 120 doctors who have died from COVID-19, blamed the recent spike in infections on an uptick in social and sporting events and a lax attitude by the public.

Vizcarra on Wednesday banned family gatherings, reinstated a blanket Sunday curfew and extended lockdowns to five more regions of the country as figures revealed a 75% surge in infections among children and adolescents.

Meanwhile, Mexico's health ministry on Thursday reported 7,371 new confirmed cases of coronavirus and 627 additional fatalities, bringing the total in the country to 505,751 cases and 55,293 deaths.

The government has said the real number of infected people is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases.

Mexico reportedly will help produce a vaccine that could be distributed in the region next year, authorities said on Thursday.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has said the pandemic is losing force in Mexico, though the death toll of 54,666 stands as the world's third highest, behind the United States and Brazil.

In partnership with the Mexican and Argentine governments, pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca Plc said it plans to initially produce 150 million doses of a coronavirus vaccine in early 2021 and eventually make at least 400 million for distribution throughout the region.

Lopez Obrador hailed the agreement as "good news" for Mexico and said he expected the country to still be suffering from the pandemic by the time the vaccine goes into production.

(with inputs from agencies)

Peru surpassed half a million coronavirus cases and has the highest fatality rate in Latin America, according to health ministry data released on Thursday, as the government struggles to contain a recent surge of infections.

Peru surpassed half a million coronavirus cases and has the highest fatality rate in Latin America, according to health ministry data released on Thursday, as the government struggles to contain a recent surge of infections. There have been 507,996 confirmed cases and 25,648 related deaths, vice health minister Luis Suarez said at a news conference. The Andean country has the highest coronavirus death rate in Latin America at 78.6 per 100,000 people, a Reuters tally shows, surpassing hard-hit regional neighbors Chile and Brazil. President Martin Vizcarra, speaking earlier on Thursday from a public event to pay tribute to 120 doctors who have died from COVID-19, blamed the recent spike in infections on an uptick in social and sporting events and a lax attitude by the public. Vizcarra on Wednesday banned family gatherings, reinstated a blanket Sunday curfew and extended lockdowns to five more regions of the country as figures revealed a 75% surge in infections among children and adolescents. Meanwhile, Mexico's health ministry on Thursday reported 7,371 new confirmed cases of coronavirus and 627 additional fatalities, bringing the total in the country to 505,751 cases and 55,293 deaths. The government has said the real number of infected people is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases. Mexico reportedly will help produce a vaccine that could be distributed in the region next year, authorities said on Thursday. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has said the pandemic is losing force in Mexico, though the death toll of 54,666 stands as the world's third highest, behind the United States and Brazil. In partnership with the Mexican and Argentine governments, pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca Plc said it plans to initially produce 150 million doses of a coronavirus vaccine in early 2021 and eventually make at least 400 million for distribution throughout the region. Lopez Obrador hailed the agreement as "good news" for Mexico and said he expected the country to still be suffering from the pandemic by the time the vaccine goes into production. (with inputs from agencies)

Peru and Mexico, both LatAm countries, surpass 500,000 coronavirus cases each

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to escalate in the Latin American nations. Peru and Mexico are witnessing a significant surge in the number of cases. Watch report.

Peru, Mexico surpass 500,000 COVID-19 cases: Peru's death rate highest in Latin America

Where are the missing women in Peru? This is the question that the activists and families of these women are asking. Watch report.

Hundreds of women go missing in Peru: Where are these women?

A staggering 900-plus girls and women are missing and feared dead in Peru since COVID-19 confinement began, authorities said Monday.

Peru: Over 900 girls, women feared dead since pandemic began

Peruvian painter Daniel Manrique knows that behind every new daily tally of coronavirus deaths there are stories of the people who passed away and the families left behind in anguish. For that reason he started a project painting the portraits of COVID-19 victims on walls in public spaces in the neighborhood where they are from.

'I immortalize them so they stay visible'- Peruvian muralist paints COVID-19 victims 

A staggering 900-plus girls and women are missing and feared dead in Peru since COVID-19 confinement began, authorities said Monday.

The Andean nation home to 33 million people long has had a horrific domestic violence problem.

But COVID-19, which has compounded home confinement combined with job losses and a health crisis, has seen an already scary situation grow worse in just 3-1/2 months, according to Eliana Revollar, who leads the women's rights office of the National Ombudsman's office.

Seventy percent of that figure are minors, she added.

"During the quarantine, from March 16 to June 30, 915 women in Peru were reported missing," and feared dead, said Revollar.

Before COVID-19, five women were reported missing in Peru every single day; since the lockdown, the number has surged to eight per day.

Revollar said Peru's situation was grim because the lack of a national missing persons registry made it hard for authorities to keep track of the crisis.

Walter Gutierrez, the ombudsman, told RPS Radio: "We need to know what has happened to them."

Revollar said she would push for the creation of a missing person’s registry.

Women's rights groups and NGOs however say that very often police refuse to investigate domestic violence, make fun of victims, or claim that the missing have left their homes willingly.

But that doesn’t address the fact that Peru has a problem with domestic violence and other violence against women, as well as human trafficking and forced prostitution.

In January, the case of a university student and activist for women's rights and safety, Solsiret Rodriguez, was in the headlines here -- but only when her body was found three years after she went missing.

Last year there were 166 killings of women in Peru; just a tenth of those were cases of a person first being reported missing. And there were just under 30,000 calls to report domestic violence, according to the Women's Ministry.

And coronavirus hasn't spared Peru: it has had more than 384,000 coronavirus cases and 18,229 deaths. It is the third-hardest hit country in Latin America behind Brazil and Mexico.

A staggering 900-plus girls and women are missing and feared dead in Peru since COVID-19 confinement began, authorities said Monday. The Andean nation home to 33 million people long has had a horrific domestic violence problem.

A staggering 900-plus girls and women are missing and feared dead in Peru since COVID-19 confinement began, authorities said Monday. The Andean nation home to 33 million people long has had a horrific domestic violence problem. But COVID-19, which has compounded home confinement combined with job losses and a health crisis, has seen an already scary situation grow worse in just 3-1/2 months, according to Eliana Revollar, who leads the women's rights office of the National Ombudsman's office. Seventy percent of that figure are minors, she added. "During the quarantine, from March 16 to June 30, 915 women in Peru were reported missing," and feared dead, said Revollar. Before COVID-19, five women were reported missing in Peru every single day; since the lockdown, the number has surged to eight per day. Revollar said Peru's situation was grim because the lack of a national missing persons registry made it hard for authorities to keep track of the crisis. Walter Gutierrez, the ombudsman, told RPS Radio: "We need to know what has happened to them." Revollar said she would push for the creation of a missing person’s registry. Women's rights groups and NGOs however say that very often police refuse to investigate domestic violence, make fun of victims, or claim that the missing have left their homes willingly. But that doesn’t address the fact that Peru has a problem with domestic violence and other violence against women, as well as human trafficking and forced prostitution. In January, the case of a university student and activist for women's rights and safety, Solsiret Rodriguez, was in the headlines here -- but only when her body was found three years after she went missing. Last year there were 166 killings of women in Peru; just a tenth of those were cases of a person first being reported missing. And there were just under 30,000 calls to report domestic violence, according to the Women's Ministry. And coronavirus hasn't spared Peru: it has had more than 384,000 coronavirus cases and 18,229 deaths. It is the third-hardest hit country in Latin America behind Brazil and Mexico.

Peru says over 900 girls, women feared dead since pandemic began

Before the pandemic, Lima was hailed in international travel circles as the culinary capital of the world: a foodies paradise. But having endured months of lockdown, the city's once-vibrant restaurant scene has taken a hit and many are facing an uncertain future ahead.

Peru's culinary scene under threat as restaurants face uncertain future

A bright spot emerged from the darkness of Peru's growing coronavirus pandemic recently when a premature baby born with COVID-19 and weighing just over half a kilogram was reunited with his mother, who also survived the coronavirus.

Premature baby reunited with mother after both survive COVID-19

A tiny premature baby - weighing just more than half a kilogram - has beaten coronavirus and finally been reunited with his mum.

Hope in the times of Coronavirus | Premature born baby in Peru recovers from COVID-19

In order to tackle rising criminal activities amid COVID-19, police in Peru seized a huge cache of arms during a crackdown. The police have made over 100,000 arrests during the lockdown period.

Peru police seize huge cache of arms

Peruvian police seized over nine hundred weapons during a crime wave amid the coronavirus state of emergency, the government reported this week.

Peru: Hundreds of weapons seized by police during in Lima

Peru continues to be Latin America's 2nd worst hit country of COVID-19 after Brazil. Why Peru's COVID-19 response not working? Know in this video..

Peru: Latin America's 2nd worst hit country of COVID-19 after Brazil

Business is booming at the Eternal Rest coffin-making shop in Lima, a sad turn of events for shop owner Genaro Cabrera who spoke of his distress at the pandemic that him churning out 30 caskets a day, up from a 30 a month before the coronavirus hit.

Soaring demand and sagging spirits at casket maker in Peru

As the coronavirus pandemic soars in Peru coffins have fast become a precious commodity in Peru. As most businesses are struggling for survival the coffin makers in Peru are mass-producing caskets. Watch report.

Peruvians mass-produce caskets:  COVID-19 death toll soars in Peru

The famed Inca citadel of Machu Picchu will restrict its number of visitors when it reopens in July as part of new protocols after the archaeological site was closed for more than three months due to the coronavirus.

Fewer visitors allowed once Machu Picchu reopens

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