Peru’s President Dina Boluarte promoted the country’s defense chief to the prime minister’s job as part of a shuffle of her 11-day-old Cabinet on Wednesday, a move that followed protests this month that have left roughly two dozen people dead.
Alberto Otarola, a lawyer who had been the Andean nation’s defense minister, was named prime minister, and four others entered the Cabinet. Alex Contreras and Oscar Vera were kept as the ministers of the economy and energy and mines, respectively.
Left-wing legislators denounced Otarola’s appointment, blaming him for the protest-related deaths that prompted the resignation of two ministers and were triggered by the impeachment and detainment of leftist former President Pedro Castillo.
“Without any remorse, today Alberto Otarola, one of the main politicians responsible for the deaths of 26 Peruvians, is sworn in as the new premier,” said Sigrid Bazan, a member of Congress.
Human rights groups have accused Peruvian authorities of using firearms against protesters and dropping smoke bombs from helicopters. The army says protesters have used weapons and homemade explosives.
BY REUTERS