【October 17, 2025, Epoch Times】Peruvian Acting President Jose Jerí, who has been in office for only a few days, faced a nationwide wave of massive protests, resulting in at least one death and over a hundred injuries, including 89 police officers and 22 civilians. Approximately 10 journalists were also attacked by the police.
The protests, led by the young “Z Generation,” demanded his resignation along with members of parliament to express anger over the long-standing corruption, crime, and economic instability in the country.
Amid the chaos, Jerí on Thursday (October 16) refused to resign, attributing the violence to “criminal elements infiltrating peaceful demonstrations.” He insisted, “It is my responsibility to maintain the stability of the country; this is my duty and commitment.”
The core tragedy of the protests occurred in Lima, where hundreds of demonstrators clashed with riot police outside the parliament building. Some protesters threw fireworks, rocks, and flammable objects, while the police fired tear gas and rubber bullets.
The victim was 32-year-old hip-hop artist Eduardo Ruíz. Prosecutors stated that he was “shot” and killed during the massive protests involving tens of thousands of young people.
Authorities wrote on the X social platform that they have ordered Ruiz’s body to be removed from a hospital in Lima and are collecting ballistic and audiovisual evidence from the area of the incident, believing it may involve “serious human rights abuses.”
Local media and surveillance footage showed a man shooting while being chased by several protesters, causing Ruiz to fall to the ground. Witnesses claimed the gunman fled because he was accused of being an undercover police officer mingling in the crowd.
Later on Thursday, Peruvian National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Arriola told the media that PNP member Luis Magallanes was attacked and fired back. Arriola added that Magallanes is currently receiving treatment at a hospital.
Facing national anger, President Jerí expressed regret over Ruiz’s death and pledged to “objectively” investigate the incident.
After participating in a meeting in Congress related to the protests on Thursday afternoon, Jerí told reporters that he would request Congress to authorize him to “legislate on public safety issues” to advance prison reform. The newly appointed Minister of the Interior also promised to push for a comprehensive reform of the national police.
New Interior Minister Vicente Tiburcio later stated in a speech at Congress that the government will push for a comprehensive reform of the national police and added that 89 officers and 22 civilians were injured in the protests, with 11 people detained.
However, the response from Jerí’s government did not quell the public’s anger.
At 38 years old, Jerí, while promising to prioritize fighting crime, faces several scandals himself, including corruption allegations and a stalled sexual assault investigation. Protesters also condemned Jerí for voting in favor of six laws during his time as a congressman, which experts say weakened efforts against crime.
Jerí denied any wrongdoing and expressed willingness to cooperate with any anti-corruption investigations. Jerí was the Speaker of Congress before becoming president. However, public trust in Congress is also low, with support in single digits.
The initial demands of the protests were to improve young people’s pensions and salaries, which later expanded to address deteriorating security, corruption, and long-standing disappointment with the government. Demonstrators called for the president and parliament members to step down and revoke laws considered to benefit criminal gangs.
Jerí is the seventh Peruvian president in nearly a decade, having taken office on October 10.