As the new coronavirus forces people to alter their daily lives, even long-standing traditions are being upended and people are having to adapt to a new reality. A couple in Peru on Friday (June 12) refused to allow quarantine measures to delay their happy day any longer and became the country's first virtual newlyweds.

Peru celebrates its first virtual marriage as coronavirus upends traditions

The virus has killed at least 6,600 people in Peru, and there have nearly 230,000 cases according to the Johns Hopkins University coronavirus tracker

Peru COVID-19: Archbishop lines church with faces of deceased

Amid the pandemic, the South American nation Peru, is fighting another battle. Oxygen is becoming a scarce commodity for people suffering from the novel coronavirus in Peru.

President Martín Vizcarra has issued an emergency order asking industrial plants to ramp up production or purchase oxygen from other countries.

The oxygen crisis has attracted a lot of criticism as Peru nears the lungs of the Earth -- Amazon rainforests.

“Peru, with the Amazon, has the lungs of the planet,” said Ivan Hidalgo, academic director of the Institute of Government and Public Management in Peru''s capital of Lima. “And we're dying because of lack of oxygen.”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chile-covid-19-deaths-increase-by-53-in-one-week-total-cases-now-122000-303783">Also read|&nbsp;Chile: COVID-19 deaths increase by 53% in one week, total cases now 122,000</a>

Experts believe the oxygen crisis is severe and will cause more severe human damage.&nbsp; The oxygen shortage is so acute, according to experts, that&nbsp;even by turning industrial plants that typically produce oxygen for mining into medicinal production, the shortage will continue.

Local health directors and experts have claimed that hundreds of people have lost their lives due to the lack of oxygen tanks in the hospitals, and more casualties can occur in the near future due to the crisis.

Locals have also claimed that the available oxygen tanks are so expensive that people have had to sell various commodities to buy the tanks for their family members suffering from the coronavirus.

Defence Minister Walter Martos said Thursday the country needs 173 tons of oxygen per day. The dean of the Medical College of Peru estimates the nation is producing about 20% of that.

Experts have blamed this oxygen crisis on poor investment in the medical sector. Local doctors have also accused the government of not paying heed to the warnings given by the medical experts.

The Peru government has assured to go to every limit to get the needed oxygen tanks and help the ailing patients.

(With inputs from agencies)

Amid the pandemic, the South American nation Peru, is fighting another battle. Oxygen is becoming a scarce commodity for people suffering from the novel coronavirus in Peru.

Amid the pandemic, the South American nation Peru, is fighting another battle. Oxygen is becoming a scarce commodity for people suffering from the novel coronavirus in Peru. President Martín Vizcarra has issued an emergency order asking industrial plants to ramp up production or purchase oxygen from other countries. The oxygen crisis has attracted a lot of criticism as Peru nears the lungs of the Earth -- Amazon rainforests. “Peru, with the Amazon, has the lungs of the planet,” said Ivan Hidalgo, academic director of the Institute of Government and Public Management in Peru''s capital of Lima. “And we're dying because of lack of oxygen.” Also read| Chile: COVID-19 deaths increase by 53% in one week, total cases now 122,000 Experts believe the oxygen crisis is severe and will cause more severe human damage. The oxygen shortage is so acute, according to experts, that even by turning industrial plants that typically produce oxygen for mining into medicinal production, the shortage will continue. Local health directors and experts have claimed that hundreds of people have lost their lives due to the lack of oxygen tanks in the hospitals, and more casualties can occur in the near future due to the crisis. Locals have also claimed that the available oxygen tanks are so expensive that people have had to sell various commodities to buy the tanks for their family members suffering from the coronavirus. Defence Minister Walter Martos said Thursday the country needs 173 tons of oxygen per day. The dean of the Medical College of Peru estimates the nation is producing about 20% of that. Experts have blamed this oxygen crisis on poor investment in the medical sector. Local doctors have also accused the government of not paying heed to the warnings given by the medical experts. The Peru government has assured to go to every limit to get the needed oxygen tanks and help the ailing patients. (With inputs from agencies)

COVID 19 patients in Peru are struggling for oxygen

On Wednesday, men piled up dozens of newly made, plastic-lined coffins in the outskirts of Lima. Geserela Llanos, owner of the coffin factory "Eternal Life", said those were the models introduced to fulfill the increased demand of the recent months since deaths by COVID-19 have risen in Peru.

Coffin factory in Lima doubles production with virus deaths

Latin America is on the way to becoming the new epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic after Brazil and Mexico record spike in coronavirus deaths.&nbsp;

Brazil has recorded 1,349 coronavirus deaths in 24 hours whereas Mexico has recorded more than 1,000 deaths in one day for the first time. Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has opposed the lockdown in the country, but many local authorities have defied him and have placed Bahia state under curfew.&nbsp;

The Chilean government has decided to extend their lockdown in their capital city Santiago for three weeks due to surge in daily deaths.&nbsp;

In Peru, which is also the second worst-hit Latin American country has seen residents lining up to buy oxygen tanks for their loved ones.

"We haven't found oxygen yet," said Lady Savalla in the capital Lima.

"I'm worried about my mom more than anything else because she's going to need a lot of oxygen and the hospital doesn't have enough."

Coronavirus cases have crossed 6.5 million mark worldwide, taking positive patients toll to &nbsp;6,513,301 with 386,091 deaths while &nbsp;2,808,183 have recovered, according to Johns Hopkins University's report.

United States, Spain, Russia, India, UK, Germany, Brazil, Italy, France are among the worst-hit countries having maximum cases of coronavirus and the numbers are increasing every day.

The US has the highest number of confirmed cases and deaths. It recorded 107,148 deaths and 1,851,530 cases so far. In the US, New York alone counted 30,019 deaths till date.

Latin America is on the way to becoming the new epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic after Brazil and Mexico record spike in coronavirus deaths. Brazil has recorded 1,349 coronavirus deaths in 24 hours whereas Mexico has recorded more than 1,000 deaths in one day for the first time.

Latin America is on the way to becoming the new epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic after Brazil and Mexico record spike in coronavirus deaths. Brazil has recorded 1,349 coronavirus deaths in 24 hours whereas Mexico has recorded more than 1,000 deaths in one day for the first time. Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has opposed the lockdown in the country, but many local authorities have defied him and have placed Bahia state under curfew. The Chilean government has decided to extend their lockdown in their capital city Santiago for three weeks due to surge in daily deaths. In Peru, which is also the second worst-hit Latin American country has seen residents lining up to buy oxygen tanks for their loved ones. "We haven't found oxygen yet," said Lady Savalla in the capital Lima. "I'm worried about my mom more than anything else because she's going to need a lot of oxygen and the hospital doesn't have enough." Coronavirus cases have crossed 6.5 million mark worldwide, taking positive patients toll to 6,513,301 with 386,091 deaths while 2,808,183 have recovered, according to Johns Hopkins University's report. United States, Spain, Russia, India, UK, Germany, Brazil, Italy, France are among the worst-hit countries having maximum cases of coronavirus and the numbers are increasing every day. The US has the highest number of confirmed cases and deaths. It recorded 107,148 deaths and 1,851,530 cases so far. In the US, New York alone counted 30,019 deaths till date.

Latin America witnesses surge in coronavirus cases

Peru has reported 129,751 positive coronavirus cases and has a death toll of 3,788.

Peru reports 129,751 COVID-19 cases and 3,788 deaths

A Peruvian woman teaching the ancient Incan language of Quechua via Facebook has reported a surge of interest as homesick compatriots around the world seek to reconnect to their roots during coronavirus lockdowns.

Lonely Peruvians learn to say "I miss you" in the language of the Incas

As COVID-19 cases near 100,000 in Peru, hospitals established a rigid security protocol banning visitors - including parents. The National Institute of Children's Health responded by trying to implement a video call system for their small patients, often from low-income families.

"I love you, mama": Hospitalized children cut off from families visit parents on video calls

Venezuelan migrants in Chile have been forced out onto the street, unable to work amid lockdown and unable to return home due to the region's shuttered borders.

Fineprint: Venezuelan migrants left homeless | COVID-19 Pandemic

The virus is spreading rapidly across Latin America as well and the death toll has surged passed 15,000. Watch report.

Latin America battles coronavirus outbreak | COVID-19 Pandemic

As the world observes the International Day for Monuments and Sites, also known as World Heritage Day on 18 April, we bring you top 5 breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Sites that are worth visiting.

Top 5 World Heritage Sites to Visit

Masks made from the leaves of banana trees and a self-imposed quarantine have become the only weapons that a northern indigenous community in Peru has to fight the novel coronavirus.

Banana leaf masks and self-quarantine: indigenous communities fight COVID-19 with limited resources

Eva Chura is one of the magpies of the mountain. Living with their families in shacks in a gold shantytown in the Andes, these women make a living gleaning gold from rubble. They are called "pallaqueras" which roughly translates as 'gold-pickers.'

High in the Andes, Peruvian women dig for a few gold flakes in mining leftovers

Most amazing landscapes in Google Earth viewed from space

Peruvian police said on Tuesday (January 14) they would deport five tourists and prosecute another after they allegedly damaged stonework and defecated among the ruins at Machu Picchu, an Incan citadel that is one of South America's most renowned tourist attractions.

Peru arrests tourists for reportedly defecating, damaging sacred Machu Picchu temple

Peruvian officials on Monday collected tons of garbage on a popular Lima beach in a campaign spanning three dozen beaches in the Pacific, the Amazon and Lake Titicaca.

Cleanup in Peru’s Lake Titicaca

A state of emergency has been declared in northern Peru after heavy rainfall led to massive floods.

Several roads have been cut off and houses destroyed as a result of the floods.

The regions badly affected are Hancay, Piura and Cajamarca.

Reports said authorities are still trying to assess the damage.

Earlier in the year, the country was hit by floods in northern and central coastal regions causing rivers to overflow leading to floods and landslides.

At least 50 people were killed as a result of the damage. According to Meteorologists, the weather pattern had emerged due to the El Nino effect.&nbsp;

A state of emergency has been declared in northern Peru after heavy rainfall led to massive floods. Several roads have been cut off and houses destroyed as a result of the floods.

A state of emergency has been declared in northern Peru after heavy rainfall led to massive floods. Several roads have been cut off and houses destroyed as a result of the floods. The regions badly affected are Hancay, Piura and Cajamarca. Reports said authorities are still trying to assess the damage. Earlier in the year, the country was hit by floods in northern and central coastal regions causing rivers to overflow leading to floods and landslides. At least 50 people were killed as a result of the damage. According to Meteorologists, the weather pattern had emerged due to the El Nino effect.

Flood havoc ravages northern Peru; govt declares emergency

Hundreds of people walk each year during this season through the residential streets of Chacarilla del Estanque, in Santiago de Surco, to enjoy the Christmas decorations that residents set up for the public to enjoy.

Peru families enjoy neighborhood Christmas designs

Two teenage&nbsp;employees were electrocuted while cleaning the kitchen of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/mcdonalds-to-pay-26-million-to-settle-california-wage-lawsuit-264569">McDonalds</a> in Pueblo Libre, a district in the capital Lima, Peruvian daily La Republica reported.

"In response to the terrible loss of our two colleagues Carlos Gabriel Edgardo Campos Zapata and Alexandra Antonella Porras Inga, we wish to announce that we have declared two days of mourning from this morning, during which all our restaurants nationwide will remain closed,"&nbsp;McDonald's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/peru-vice-president-resigns-calls-for-elections-to-break-deadlock-253286">Peru</a> said on Twitter.

The company said it was cooperating fully with the authorities investigating the deaths and offering support to their families. All staff would be paid during the two days when the restaurants were shut.

Two teenage employees were electrocuted while cleaning the kitchen of a McDonalds in Pueblo Libre, a district in the capital Lima, Peruvian daily La Republica reported.

Two teenage employees were electrocuted while cleaning the kitchen of a McDonalds in Pueblo Libre, a district in the capital Lima, Peruvian daily La Republica reported. "In response to the terrible loss of our two colleagues Carlos Gabriel Edgardo Campos Zapata and Alexandra Antonella Porras Inga, we wish to announce that we have declared two days of mourning from this morning, during which all our restaurants nationwide will remain closed," McDonald's Peru said on Twitter. The company said it was cooperating fully with the authorities investigating the deaths and offering support to their families. All staff would be paid during the two days when the restaurants were shut.

McDonald's shuts all Peru restaurants to mourn dead workers

Peru opposition leader Keiko Fujimori was released from prison Friday after spending 13 months in pre-trial detention in a corruption case linked to Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht.&nbsp;

Her release comes days after the country's Constitutional Court ordered her freed in a ruling related only to her detention and which otherwise has no bearing on the corruption case against her.

"For me, it was the most painful event of my life," Fujimori said as she left prison and hugged her husband in front of a large group of supporters and journalists.

Fujimori, 44, has been held since October 31, 2018.&nbsp;

Odebrecht has admitted to paying bribes to officials, including four former Peruvian presidents.

Fujimori is accused of receiving funds from the company for her 2011 election campaign as leader of the right-wing Popular Force party.

The party was a major player in the country's 2016 elections but has been losing ground since, in part due to Fujimori's two successive defeats in the second round of presidential elections in 2011 and 2016.

Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra has called for new legislative elections for January 26 after dissolving the country's single-chamber congress in September as part of an anti-corruption campaign.

Fujimori's party risks losing its majority in congress, following repeated clashes with Vizcarra, whose anti-graft drive has proven popular with the public.

Peru opposition leader Keiko Fujimori was released from prison Friday after spending 13 months in pre-trial detention in a corruption case linked to Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht.

Peru opposition leader Keiko Fujimori was released from prison Friday after spending 13 months in pre-trial detention in a corruption case linked to Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht. Her release comes days after the country's Constitutional Court ordered her freed in a ruling related only to her detention and which otherwise has no bearing on the corruption case against her. "For me, it was the most painful event of my life," Fujimori said as she left prison and hugged her husband in front of a large group of supporters and journalists. Fujimori, 44, has been held since October 31, 2018. Odebrecht has admitted to paying bribes to officials, including four former Peruvian presidents. Fujimori is accused of receiving funds from the company for her 2011 election campaign as leader of the right-wing Popular Force party. The party was a major player in the country's 2016 elections but has been losing ground since, in part due to Fujimori's two successive defeats in the second round of presidential elections in 2011 and 2016. Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra has called for new legislative elections for January 26 after dissolving the country's single-chamber congress in September as part of an anti-corruption campaign. Fujimori's party risks losing its majority in congress, following repeated clashes with Vizcarra, whose anti-graft drive has proven popular with the public.

Opposition leader Keiko Fujimori leaves prison in Peru

Peru's&nbsp;vice&nbsp;president Mercedes Araoz, resigned and called for&nbsp;elections&nbsp;Tuesday, hours after parliament appointed her to lead the fight against the&nbsp;president's dissolution of the body amid a bitter&nbsp;deadlock&nbsp;over corruption and appointments to the Supreme Court.

"I have decided to resign irrevocably from the position of Second Constitutional&nbsp;Vice&nbsp;President&nbsp;of the Republic," Mercedes Araoz wrote on Twitter alongside a resignation letter, adding she hoped for "general&nbsp;elections&nbsp;in the shortest term."

Lawmakers had accused&nbsp;President&nbsp;Martin Vizcarra of a "coup d'etat" after he dissolved the opposition-dominated Congress and called for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/peru-president-dissolves-parliaments-calls-fresh-elections-253037">fresh&nbsp;elections</a>&nbsp;Monday, voting to suspend him temporarily from the presidency and appointing Araoz as the leader.&nbsp;

But thousands poured into the streets of Lima and other cities in a show of support for Vizcarra, whose anti-graft drive is widely popular,&nbsp;with the armed forces and police confirming their backing of the&nbsp;president&nbsp;and a dozen regional governors joining celebratory street protests. &nbsp;

"There's too much corruption. Too much of it without any shame. It's high time this happened, that there's a change," said protester Jenny Sanchez in Lima, as demonstrators waved flags saying "New&nbsp;Peru."

The resignation of Araoz who had allied with supporters of corruption-tainted former opposition leader Keiko Fujimori&nbsp;comes after the Organization of American States (OAS) refused to get involved in the&nbsp;Peru&nbsp;power dispute.

The body said Tuesday that it was up to&nbsp;Peru's Constitutional Court to decide on the legality of the dissolution and that it was "fair that the political polarization in the country will be resolved by the people at the polls."

A number of lawmakers were considering appealing to the court to revoke the dissolution, according to Congress speaker Pedro Olaechea.

Despite the heated stand-off,&nbsp;Peru&nbsp;went about its business as usual on Tuesday, with the only noticeable change being heightened security around the government palace and Congress.

January elections

Vizcarra's call for fresh polls on January 26 was validated Tuesday by&nbsp;the independent National Jury of&nbsp;Elections.

The upcoming polls will likely favour leftist parties like Nuevo&nbsp;Peru&nbsp;and Frente Amplio, which supported the dissolution, political analyst Fernando Rospigliosi told AFP.

Under an electoral reform enacted last year, lawmakers cannot run for re-election.

A new Congress would only have a mandate until 2021, to complete the five-year period for which the dissolved Congress was elected.

Until the&nbsp;elections, legislative duties will fall to a 27-member Permanent Congressional Commission, 18 of whom are opposition lawmakers, led by Congress speaker Pedro Olaechea, who accuses Vizcarra of unlawfully seizing power.

Vizcarra has repeatedly clashed with Congress, which is dominated by the Popular Force party of Keiko Fujimori.

He had warned Congress on Sunday that he would dissolve the body if it denied him a&nbsp;vote&nbsp;of confidence Monday on reforming the method of appointing magistrates.

The move was aimed at preventing the opposition from taking control of the Supreme Court.

Stand-off

Peru's grinding political stand-off has its roots in the 2016 presidential&nbsp;election when banker Pedro Pablo Kuczynski beat Keiko Fujimori.

Although she lost her bid for the presidency, her party won an overwhelming majority in Congress, eventually forcing Kuczynski's resignation last year amid a corruption scandal.

Kuczynski was replaced by Vizcarra, then first&nbsp;vice&nbsp;president, who has vowed to clean up Peruvian politics.

Fujimori is the eldest daughter of disgraced former&nbsp;president&nbsp;Alberto Fujimori and is herself in prison awaiting trial after being accused of accepting $1.2 million in illicit party funding from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht for her 2011 presidential campaign.

The Supreme Court is currently debating whether to free Keiko once&nbsp;Peru's most popular politician from pre-trial detention.

Odebrecht has admitted paying at least $29 million in bribes to Peruvian officials since 2004.

Three former presidents, including Kuczynski, are also being investigated over Odebrecht, while a fourth, Alan Garcia, committed suicide in April after police arrived at his house to arrest him for money laundering.&nbsp;

Peru's vice president Mercedes Araoz, resigned and called for elections Tuesday, hours after parliament appointed her to lead the fight against the president's dissolution of the body amid a bitter deadlock over corruption and appointments to the Supreme Court.

Peru's vice president Mercedes Araoz, resigned and called for elections Tuesday, hours after parliament appointed her to lead the fight against the president's dissolution of the body amid a bitter deadlock over corruption and appointments to the Supreme Court. "I have decided to resign irrevocably from the position of Second Constitutional Vice President of the Republic," Mercedes Araoz wrote on Twitter alongside a resignation letter, adding she hoped for "general elections in the shortest term." Lawmakers had accused President Martin Vizcarra of a "coup d'etat" after he dissolved the opposition-dominated Congress and called for fresh elections Monday, voting to suspend him temporarily from the presidency and appointing Araoz as the leader. But thousands poured into the streets of Lima and other cities in a show of support for Vizcarra, whose anti-graft drive is widely popular, with the armed forces and police confirming their backing of the president and a dozen regional governors joining celebratory street protests. "There's too much corruption. Too much of it without any shame. It's high time this happened, that there's a change," said protester Jenny Sanchez in Lima, as demonstrators waved flags saying "New Peru." The resignation of Araoz who had allied with supporters of corruption-tainted former opposition leader Keiko Fujimori comes after the Organization of American States (OAS) refused to get involved in the Peru power dispute. The body said Tuesday that it was up to Peru's Constitutional Court to decide on the legality of the dissolution and that it was "fair that the political polarization in the country will be resolved by the people at the polls." A number of lawmakers were considering appealing to the court to revoke the dissolution, according to Congress speaker Pedro Olaechea. Despite the heated stand-off, Peru went about its business as usual on Tuesday, with the only noticeable change being heightened security around the government palace and Congress. January elections Vizcarra's call for fresh polls on January 26 was validated Tuesday by the independent National Jury of Elections. The upcoming polls will likely favour leftist parties like Nuevo Peru and Frente Amplio, which supported the dissolution, political analyst Fernando Rospigliosi told AFP. Under an electoral reform enacted last year, lawmakers cannot run for re-election. A new Congress would only have a mandate until 2021, to complete the five-year period for which the dissolved Congress was elected. Until the elections, legislative duties will fall to a 27-member Permanent Congressional Commission, 18 of whom are opposition lawmakers, led by Congress speaker Pedro Olaechea, who accuses Vizcarra of unlawfully seizing power. Vizcarra has repeatedly clashed with Congress, which is dominated by the Popular Force party of Keiko Fujimori. He had warned Congress on Sunday that he would dissolve the body if it denied him a vote of confidence Monday on reforming the method of appointing magistrates. The move was aimed at preventing the opposition from taking control of the Supreme Court. Stand-off Peru's grinding political stand-off has its roots in the 2016 presidential election when banker Pedro Pablo Kuczynski beat Keiko Fujimori. Although she lost her bid for the presidency, her party won an overwhelming majority in Congress, eventually forcing Kuczynski's resignation last year amid a corruption scandal. Kuczynski was replaced by Vizcarra, then first vice president, who has vowed to clean up Peruvian politics. Fujimori is the eldest daughter of disgraced former president Alberto Fujimori and is herself in prison awaiting trial after being accused of accepting $1.2 million in illicit party funding from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht for her 2011 presidential campaign. The Supreme Court is currently debating whether to free Keiko once Peru's most popular politician from pre-trial detention. Odebrecht has admitted paying at least $29 million in bribes to Peruvian officials since 2004. Three former presidents, including Kuczynski, are also being investigated over Odebrecht, while a fourth, Alan Garcia, committed suicide in April after police arrived at his house to arrest him for money laundering.

Peru Vice President resigns, calls for elections to break deadlock

Peru's President dissolved the <a href="Copa America: Brazil crush Peru to reach last eight">parliament</a> and called for fresh elections Monday, prompting a vote by lawmakers to suspend him, deepening a long-running institutional crisis.

The announcement by President Martin Vizcarra came after he warned Congress he would dissolve the body if it continued to block a raft of anti-corruption reforms and changes to the way judges are appointed to the country's Supreme Court.

Vizcarra called new parliamentary elections for January 26, according to a decree published in the official gazette.

Shortly after his televised statement, 86 of Congress' 130 members voted to suspend Vizcarra for one year on the grounds of "moral incapacity" and nominated Vice President Mercedes Araoz as acting head of state.

The chamber will meet on Friday to consider a motion to dismiss the president, House Speaker Pedro Olaechea said.

"We are facing a coup d'etat," opposition legislator Jorge del Castillo said of Vizcarra's move. "I hope the armed forces and the police will stay out of this charade."

But the chiefs of the police and army "reaffirmed their full support for the constitutional order" and Vizcarra at the presidential palace in Lima, the presidency said on Twitter, posting a photo of the meeting.

Supporters of the move to dissolve parliament also took to the streets across Peru, with one demonstration in Lima drawing around 2,000 people.

Vizcarra -- whose anti-graft drive has won him widespread popularity -- has repeatedly clashed with Congress, which is dominated by the Popular Force party of Keiko Fujimori.

Fujimori is the eldest daughter of disgraced former president Alberto Fujimori and is herself in prison awaiting trial after being accused of accepting $1.2 million in illicit party funding from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht for her 2011 presidential campaign.

The Supreme Court&nbsp;is currently debating whether to free opposition leader Keiko -- <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesian-opposition-demands-that-court-annuls-election-236548">once Peru's most popular politician</a> -- from pre-trial detention.

Odebrecht has admitted paying at least $29 million in bribes to Peruvian officials since 2004.

Three former presidents, including Vizcarra's predecessor Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, are also being investigated over Odebrecht while a fourth, Alan Garcia, committed suicide in April after police arrived at his house to arrest him for money laundering.&nbsp;

Peru's President dissolved the parliament and called for fresh elections Monday, prompting a vote by lawmakers to suspend him, deepening a long-running institutional crisis.

Peru's President dissolved the parliament and called for fresh elections Monday, prompting a vote by lawmakers to suspend him, deepening a long-running institutional crisis. The announcement by President Martin Vizcarra came after he warned Congress he would dissolve the body if it continued to block a raft of anti-corruption reforms and changes to the way judges are appointed to the country's Supreme Court. Vizcarra called new parliamentary elections for January 26, according to a decree published in the official gazette. Shortly after his televised statement, 86 of Congress' 130 members voted to suspend Vizcarra for one year on the grounds of "moral incapacity" and nominated Vice President Mercedes Araoz as acting head of state. The chamber will meet on Friday to consider a motion to dismiss the president, House Speaker Pedro Olaechea said. "We are facing a coup d'etat," opposition legislator Jorge del Castillo said of Vizcarra's move. "I hope the armed forces and the police will stay out of this charade." But the chiefs of the police and army "reaffirmed their full support for the constitutional order" and Vizcarra at the presidential palace in Lima, the presidency said on Twitter, posting a photo of the meeting. Supporters of the move to dissolve parliament also took to the streets across Peru, with one demonstration in Lima drawing around 2,000 people. Vizcarra -- whose anti-graft drive has won him widespread popularity -- has repeatedly clashed with Congress, which is dominated by the Popular Force party of Keiko Fujimori. Fujimori is the eldest daughter of disgraced former president Alberto Fujimori and is herself in prison awaiting trial after being accused of accepting $1.2 million in illicit party funding from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht for her 2011 presidential campaign. The Supreme Court is currently debating whether to free opposition leader Keiko -- once Peru's most popular politician -- from pre-trial detention. Odebrecht has admitted paying at least $29 million in bribes to Peruvian officials since 2004. Three former presidents, including Vizcarra's predecessor Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, are also being investigated over Odebrecht while a fourth, Alan Garcia, committed suicide in April after police arrived at his house to arrest him for money laundering.

Peru president dissolves parliaments, calls fresh elections

The U.N. Human Rights Council on Friday voted to send a team of investigators to probe alleged violations, including extrajudicial executions and torture, in crisis-wracked Venezuela.

A resolution tabled by more than a dozen countries from Latin America and elsewhere was adopted by the 47-member council with 19 votes in favour, seven opposed and 21 abstaining.

It called for the U.N.'s top rights body to "dispatch urgently an independent international fact-finding mission" to Venezuela.

The mission, the text said, should "investigate extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, and torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment".

"Venezuelans, men and women, cannot wait any longer" for justice, said the representative of Peru, on behalf of the sponsoring nations, who also included Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada and Israel.

The one-year mission should carry out its investigation "with a view to ensuring full accountability for perpetrators and justice for victims," said the text, which also received the backing of the European Union.

Venezuelan Ambassador Jorge Valero slammed the resolution as a "hostile initiative", and said his country had no intention of cooperating with the new probe.

"The imposition of an additional monitoring mechanism will never receive the consent of my country," he told the council.

Even when they are not granted access to a country, U.N. investigators can nonetheless carry out probes from abroad, as has been the case with investigations into abuses in Syria and Myanmar.

'Systematic abuse'&nbsp;

The investigative team will be expected to present a report to the council in a year.

Venezuela is caught in an economic crisis and a political standoff between President Nicolas Maduro's government and National Assembly leader Juan Guaido.

The oil-rich country suffers from hyperinflation and shortages of basic goods from food to medicine, a crisis that has forced some 3.6 million people to flee since 2016.

Friday's resolution deplored "the systematic abuse of state institutions accelerating the erosion of the rule of law and of democratic institutions" in Venezuela.

It also urged Caracas to release all "political prisoners" and voiced "grave concern" over UN rights office findings in July suggesting that many of the more than 6,000 killings in alleged confrontations with state forces since early 2018 may, in fact, have been "executions".

"It must be clear to all at this Council that when violations of this gravity and scale are reported to us, we must respond in an equally serious manner," British Ambassador Julian Braithwaite, whose country backed the resolution, told the council.

The U.N. Human Rights Council on Friday voted to send a team of investigators to probe alleged violations, including extrajudicial executions and torture, in crisis-wracked Venezuela.

The U.N. Human Rights Council on Friday voted to send a team of investigators to probe alleged violations, including extrajudicial executions and torture, in crisis-wracked Venezuela. A resolution tabled by more than a dozen countries from Latin America and elsewhere was adopted by the 47-member council with 19 votes in favour, seven opposed and 21 abstaining. It called for the U.N.'s top rights body to "dispatch urgently an independent international fact-finding mission" to Venezuela. The mission, the text said, should "investigate extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, and torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment". "Venezuelans, men and women, cannot wait any longer" for justice, said the representative of Peru, on behalf of the sponsoring nations, who also included Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada and Israel. The one-year mission should carry out its investigation "with a view to ensuring full accountability for perpetrators and justice for victims," said the text, which also received the backing of the European Union. Venezuelan Ambassador Jorge Valero slammed the resolution as a "hostile initiative", and said his country had no intention of cooperating with the new probe. "The imposition of an additional monitoring mechanism will never receive the consent of my country," he told the council. Even when they are not granted access to a country, U.N. investigators can nonetheless carry out probes from abroad, as has been the case with investigations into abuses in Syria and Myanmar. 'Systematic abuse' The investigative team will be expected to present a report to the council in a year. Venezuela is caught in an economic crisis and a political standoff between President Nicolas Maduro's government and National Assembly leader Juan Guaido. The oil-rich country suffers from hyperinflation and shortages of basic goods from food to medicine, a crisis that has forced some 3.6 million people to flee since 2016. Friday's resolution deplored "the systematic abuse of state institutions accelerating the erosion of the rule of law and of democratic institutions" in Venezuela. It also urged Caracas to release all "political prisoners" and voiced "grave concern" over UN rights office findings in July suggesting that many of the more than 6,000 killings in alleged confrontations with state forces since early 2018 may, in fact, have been "executions". "It must be clear to all at this Council that when violations of this gravity and scale are reported to us, we must respond in an equally serious manner," British Ambassador Julian Braithwaite, whose country backed the resolution, told the council.

United Nations launches probe into Venezuela rights abuses

The Amazon's Amahuaca people braved marauding rubber tappers a century ago and now face a new threat to their survival as gold mines and oil wells increasingly encircle their jungle home.

They and other indigenous communities have gone to court to protect their rainforest habitat and keep mining and oil projects off their lands.

But activists here fear legal constraints will only delay defeat in their long conflict with miners.

In June, Amahuaca villagers in Boca Pariamanu, in the heart of the Peruvian <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/in-brazils-rainforests-the-worst-fires-are-likely-still-to-come-248685">Amazon </a>basin region, celebrated a rare legal victory. A court recognized their claim to more than 4,000 hectares (9,884 acres) of the rainforest, after years of conflict with Chesnut producers.

Title deeds to the land are key in a wider battle over Amazon resources, said community leader Julio Rolin.

"We need to be able to monitor the land and not be invaded by mining, by illegal logging or invasions by settlers," Rolin told AFP.

The Amahuaca is one of 38 indigenous communities scattered throughout the Madre de Dios river basin, seen as the epicentre of illegal mining in Peru the world's fifth-largest gold producer.

Indigenous umbrella organization Fenamed warns of a wider threat.

Despite the Amahauca's landmark legal victory, the state has altogether granted mining concessions on land occupied by 11 of the 38 local communities.

Under Peruvian law, the state retains the rights to the subsoil of indigenous land, so the government retains the right to grant exploration licenses.

"We demand that rights not be granted to third parties in the territories of indigenous peoples," Fenamed president Julio Cusurichi said.

Boca Pariamanu is accessible only by dugout canoe, two hours from regional capital Puerto Maldonado, and much of the illegal mining here take place without fear of censure.

"Mines contaminate the water, there are no more fish. And it destroys the forest," says Adela Ajahuana, a 23-year old indigenous Arazaire woman.

She fears it is only a matter of time before the mines destroy her own community.

Mud craters&nbsp;

Across the brown Pariamanu river, deforestation has gouged out vast areas of rainforest, with mud craters left behind by prospecting miners.

Mechanical diggers and gold dredgers rumble constantly in the distance.

The government has cracked down on illegal mining high up in the Andes, sending troops to dismantle the wildcat mining town of La Pampa a mountain outpost that mushroomed in 2008 at the height of the global economic crisis when the demand for gold was at its highest.

But the move failed to reassure local Amazon communities.

"There were 30,000 people living there. Where will they go? They will go to other parts of the indigenous territories," said Cusurichi.

State pressure in Bolivia

Across the border in the Bolivian Amazon area of Tacana II, a surge of state-supported oil exploration has alarmed locals.

"Our fear is that this is going to destroy our forest," said Juana Ramirez, a young woman from Las Mercedes, one of Tacana II's four scattered villages that are only accessible by boat.

President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amazon-countries-meet-to-bolster-rainforest-protection-248160">Evo Morales</a>, who is seeking a fourth term next month, is supporting a mining project that will extract 50 million barrels of oil, as well as large quantities of natural gas.

"We could have said no to it, but there are very strong pressure from the state, very strong threats," said Ronaldo Justiniano, head of the territory.

Prospecting began in 2018, after three years of tough negotiations between the Tacanas and the national oil company YPFB.

Tacana II got nearly 500,000 dollars to compensate for environmental damage caused by the prospecting, or $500 per thousand inhabitants.

But the money "is no compensation for the wealth we have on our territory," said Justiniano, visibly concerned over what may unfold here.

For now, he says his community is relieved to have managed to protect its chestnut trees, which reach a height of 50 meters (160 feet).

Chesnut gathering is an important source of income for the tribe between January and April.

The Amazon's Amahuaca people braved marauding rubber tappers a century ago and now face a new threat to their survival as gold mines and oil wells increasingly encircle their jungle home.

The Amazon's Amahuaca people braved marauding rubber tappers a century ago and now face a new threat to their survival as gold mines and oil wells increasingly encircle their jungle home. They and other indigenous communities have gone to court to protect their rainforest habitat and keep mining and oil projects off their lands. But activists here fear legal constraints will only delay defeat in their long conflict with miners. In June, Amahuaca villagers in Boca Pariamanu, in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon basin region, celebrated a rare legal victory. A court recognized their claim to more than 4,000 hectares (9,884 acres) of the rainforest, after years of conflict with Chesnut producers. Title deeds to the land are key in a wider battle over Amazon resources, said community leader Julio Rolin. "We need to be able to monitor the land and not be invaded by mining, by illegal logging or invasions by settlers," Rolin told AFP. The Amahuaca is one of 38 indigenous communities scattered throughout the Madre de Dios river basin, seen as the epicentre of illegal mining in Peru the world's fifth-largest gold producer. Indigenous umbrella organization Fenamed warns of a wider threat. Despite the Amahauca's landmark legal victory, the state has altogether granted mining concessions on land occupied by 11 of the 38 local communities. Under Peruvian law, the state retains the rights to the subsoil of indigenous land, so the government retains the right to grant exploration licenses. "We demand that rights not be granted to third parties in the territories of indigenous peoples," Fenamed president Julio Cusurichi said. Boca Pariamanu is accessible only by dugout canoe, two hours from regional capital Puerto Maldonado, and much of the illegal mining here take place without fear of censure. "Mines contaminate the water, there are no more fish. And it destroys the forest," says Adela Ajahuana, a 23-year old indigenous Arazaire woman. She fears it is only a matter of time before the mines destroy her own community. Mud craters Across the brown Pariamanu river, deforestation has gouged out vast areas of rainforest, with mud craters left behind by prospecting miners. Mechanical diggers and gold dredgers rumble constantly in the distance. The government has cracked down on illegal mining high up in the Andes, sending troops to dismantle the wildcat mining town of La Pampa a mountain outpost that mushroomed in 2008 at the height of the global economic crisis when the demand for gold was at its highest. But the move failed to reassure local Amazon communities. "There were 30,000 people living there. Where will they go? They will go to other parts of the indigenous territories," said Cusurichi. State pressure in Bolivia Across the border in the Bolivian Amazon area of Tacana II, a surge of state-supported oil exploration has alarmed locals. "Our fear is that this is going to destroy our forest," said Juana Ramirez, a young woman from Las Mercedes, one of Tacana II's four scattered villages that are only accessible by boat. President Evo Morales, who is seeking a fourth term next month, is supporting a mining project that will extract 50 million barrels of oil, as well as large quantities of natural gas. "We could have said no to it, but there are very strong pressure from the state, very strong threats," said Ronaldo Justiniano, head of the territory. Prospecting began in 2018, after three years of tough negotiations between the Tacanas and the national oil company YPFB. Tacana II got nearly 500,000 dollars to compensate for environmental damage caused by the prospecting, or $500 per thousand inhabitants. But the money "is no compensation for the wealth we have on our territory," said Justiniano, visibly concerned over what may unfold here. For now, he says his community is relieved to have managed to protect its chestnut trees, which reach a height of 50 meters (160 feet). Chesnut gathering is an important source of income for the tribe between January and April.

Legal respite only temporary as Amazon indigenous battle miners

One year after Brazil's National Museum went up in flames, management and researchers say they are recuperating 35% of the collection and beginning reconstruction of the building's facade and roof.

Brazil museum rallies to rebuild 1 year after fire

Thousands of Catholic pilgrims gathered in Peru's capital on Friday to pay homage to their national patron saint, Santa Rosa de Lima.

Thousands of Peru's Catholics celebrate Santa Rosa

On Wednesday a team of Peruvian archaeologists conducted a dig at the site of what constitutes the largest number of remains of sacrificed children ever discovered in the Americas.

Child sacrifice site excavated in Peru

Archaeologists in northern Peru have unearthed an ancient mural from the lost Caral civilisation that is believed to be about 3,800 years old, officials reported. Watch this video to know more.

WION Playlist: Archaeologists in Peru unearth ancient mural

A building in a northern Peruvian town was set on fire on Friday in a protest against China National Petroleum Corp that devolved into clashes between police and demonstrators who want the company to make pledges to help the local community, an industry source said.

A building in a northern Peruvian town was set on fire on Friday in a protest against China National Petroleum Corp that devolved into clashes between police and demonstrators who want the company to make pledges to help the local community, an industry source said. The unrest follows the breakdown of talks between the company and residents in the district of El Alto, in a desert coastal region near three offshore oil blocks that CNPC operates. Residents want CNPC to agree to a series of commitments to local development, including a guarantee that it will 100 jobs for young people, said the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. There were no initial reports of deaths in the clashes, but the offices of a Bogota-based company that provides maintenance services to CNPC, Confipetrol, were set on fire, the source added. CNPC and Confipetrol could not immediately be reached for comment outside of normal business hours on Friday. TV images on local broadcaster Canal N showed black fumes spewing from a building in El Alto. The local firefighters' office declined to provide comment over the phone. Peru is rife with protests against mining and oil and natural gas operations, often turning deadly when police try to repel crowds from roads. But arson is rare. CNPC, which says it has operated offshore oil blocks in Peru since 1993, has largely steered clear of the kind of protests that have blocked billions of dollars in mining investments in one of Latin America's most stable economies. The unrest in El Alto is the latest flare-up in social conflicts that President Martin Vizcarra's government has struggled to contain in recent weeks. Protests continued on Friday against two major mining projects - copper mines proposed by Southern Copper Corp and Anglo American worth more than $6 billion - blocking roads in southern Peru. A spokeswoman for Peru's Energy and Mines Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. CNPC's offshore oil blocks in northern Peru produce an average of 14,500 barrels of oil per day, according to the company's website.

Building set on fire in protest against China's CNPC in Peru

In order to prevent any future crisis, Peru conducts massive earthquake drill. Watch video to know more.

Peru conducts massive earthquake drill

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