Social protests left more than a billion soles in losses

After the intense protests and riots generated throughout the country, Minister Álex Contreras, head of the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), addressed the media to provide some details about his portfolio and the demonstrations.

The claims of various citizen groups began last Wednesday, December 7, after the swearing in of Dina Boluarte, then vice president, as president of the republic. The dignitary replaced former president Pedro Castillo, who perpetrated a self-coup that was not supported by the Armed Forces (FF.AA.) and the National Police (PNP).

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Currently, Castillo Terrones remains in custody in the Barbadillo prison after receiving 18 months of preventive detention, from the Judiciary, in the framework of the accusations against him for the crime of rebellion, abuse of power, among others.

“There is a daily average loss of 100 million soles. We must consider that on some days the stoppage had a greater impact than others," Contreras Miranda reported on the economic report so far.

The official recalled that 18 regions of Peru remained with the roads blocked by protesters and other vandals, generating a social conflict that had a negative impact on the country's economy.

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In the various days of protests, which left at least 26 dead so far, looting, destruction of private property and public facilities, among others, were also reported.

“The social conflict generated significant economic effects, both regional and sectoral, because it affected transportation, tourism, commerce, services, and mining; additionally, the impact on agriculture was great”, reported the Minister of Economy.

The National Society of Industries (SNI), in turn, reported that during this period there was an economic loss of S/ 3,200 million in production nationwide.

On the other hand, Minister Álex Contreras highlighted that acts of vandalism and social demonstrations damaged 35 public and private properties in various regions. Among the most affected provinces at the national level are Ayacucho, Cusco, Puno, Lima, Ucayali, Cajamarca, Huancavelica, Apurímac and Arequipa.

"The damage that has occurred to the infrastructure is not being considered and that, precisely, with part of the interventions of the 'Con Punche Perú' plan we are going to try to reverse it," he said in front of the media.

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The official, who will be in charge of the premiership during the trip of Alberto Otárola (prime minister) to Brazil, remarked that the social conflict meant a hard blow to the country, since various sectors were more affected than others.

Until now, President Boluarte has traveled to different regions of the country, together with her State ministers, to talk with the union groups, organizations and populations that mobilized in the streets. The Government is preparing for a possible restart of the protests in January of next year.

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It may interest you: Dina Boluarte announces that Alberto Otárola and the foreign minister will travel to Brazil for the inauguration of Lula da SilvaCurrently, Castillo Terrones remains in custody in the Barbadillo prison after receiving 18 months of preventive detention, from the Judiciary, in the framework of the accusations against him for the crime of rebellion, abuse of power, among others.