The people of Puno gathered in the Plaza de Armas on Wednesday to express their discontent with the Boluarte government. After a march to remember the 48 civilians killed in clashes with security forces, protesters began to spray foam, water, confetti and talcum powder at the policemen. The police responded by throwing foam and buckets of water back at the crowd, which included children and adolescents. The celebration continued for about an hour, with both the protesters and the police officers smiling and enjoying the traditional carnival customs of Puno.
Rosmery Cutipa, a 42-year-old protester, carried a sign with the image of José Luis Aguilar, a 22-year-old who died in Ayacucho in a protest against the Peruvian President Dina Boluarte. Cutipa declared that the protesters will not give up or get tired until Boluarte resigns.
The past two months in Peru have been marked by social unrest and human rights violations, according to Amnesty International. The Peruvian government has denied these allegations. The people of Puno, however, have continued to celebrate their carnival customs, using them as a way to protest against the current government.
