Puno: southern area threatens 'Aymarazo' (Diario Sin Fronteras [Spanish] - 1/7/2023)

Puno: southern area threatens 'Aymarazo' (Spanish)

Since yesterday, protests have been radicalized throughout the Puno region. In the southern zone that joins the Provinces of Puno, El Collao - lave, Yunguyo and Chucuito - Juli, protestors blocked the highway that connects this part of the country with Bolivia. From the Chimu sector, at the exit of the city of Puno to Desaguadero, community members placed stones, trees, and mounds of earth obstructing the vehicular passage.

The situation has become extreme in the Districts of Platería, Chucuito and Acora. The pickets are constant and only pedestrians pass through.

Residents, many of whom are indigenous Aymara, are angry with President Dina Boluarte. She has accused the protestors of being financed by drug trafficking, illegal mining and are under the control of "terrorist remnants", such as the Movement for Amnesty and Fundamental Rights (MOVADEF).

Residents also deplored the complaint by Congressman Jorge Montoya, who denounced former Governor, Germán Alejo for receiving former Bolivian President Evo Morales and requesting that Puno join RUNASUR (an organization that takes its name from the conjunction of the Quechua word “runa” (man) and UNASUR (Union of South American Nations). Protestors demands have reached the former Bolivian president and the leader of Peru Libre, Vladimir Cerrón.

Blockades were also held in Asillo, San Anthony (Azangaro), Taraco, Pusi, Cojata (Huancané), Ayaviri, Nuñoa, Sanata Rosa (Melgar), Ananea (Putina), Cuyo Cuyo, San Juan del Oro (Watermelon) and the route of the Interoceanic that leads from Azángaro, San Gabán, Ollachea (Carabaya).

The city of Puno, which the day before had relaxed its protests, yesterday restarted them and no cars were noticed on the streets. Businesses did not open and during the day, the streets were flooded with protesters.

Protestors have stated that the strike is indefinite, they will not give up until Congress is closed, new elections are held, and Dina Boluarte resigns.

'Aymarazo'

A massive meeting was held in the city of Ilave and, after several minutes of dialogue between leaders and community members, it was agreed that the leaders of the three areas of El Collao will coordinate to organize the seizure of the city of Puno, and in what is known as an 'Aymarazo', fronts will also be organized to send protestors to Lima.

On Sunday, coordination will be finalized for a trip of several thousand Aymaras  to achieve compliance with their list of demands. They maintain that the closure of the capital will force their demands to be resolved.

After that, citizens mobilized through the main streets of Ilave and reached the International Bridge, a structure that remains blocked 24 hours a day. There, pickets take turns every four hours, and they are also deployed throughout the night. Since Monday, January 4, no vehicles have passed.

Road Blockades

The demonstrators stated they will organize themselves in groups to continue blocking roads both at night and during the day to prevent the Peruvian Army and the National Police from opening the roads.

In the northern zone, the district of Asillo (Azángaro), protestors blocked several road sections and even slept so that vehicles cannot transit. Meanwhile in the south, they closed the International Bridge with Bolivia and held vigils.

No to Violence

The leaders rejected the acts of violence that took place yesterday in the city of Juliaca, which left at least thirteen people seriously injured, some of whom had gunshot wounds. At night there was talk of a deceased protestor.

Force to Juliaca

From the Acora district, the Aymaras deplored the police and military repression, and announced that, if possible, they will organize to send a strong contingent to Juliaca starting Monday. "The Aymara will not allow there to be a massacre, we have already said it, 'they will pay for blood with blood,'" said a young man dressed as a reservist.

There will not be a truce

Protest leaders stated that they will not take a step back and that, on the contrary, they will show greater resolve until they achieve their objectives.

Tags: #NationalStrike #Puno #Aymara #Aymarzo #Blockades #RUNASUR