Crisis in Peru: detained brazilians try to reach the country through the state of Acre

Daniel Amorim – Cenarium Magazine

MANAUS – A caravan of vehicles carrying 27 brazilians who were held, including from Acre state, in the city of Porto Maldonado, in Peru, left the city on Friday, 13, towards the city of Assis Brasil, in Acre. This was the second attempt this week to repatriate the group of Brazilians who were being held in Peru since the beginning of the political crisis in the country.

According to the Integrated Border Management Office (GGF) of the State Department of Justice and Public Safety (Sejusp), the expectation was that the group would arrive in Acre on Friday, 13, but so far the information has not been confirmed.

Sejusp also reported that in addition to the Peruvian police escort, at each point of obstruction there are police officers ensuring reinforcement to prevent attacks on the convoy that will take tourists to Assis Brasil, on the border with the Peruvian city of Iñapary (310 kilometers from Rio Branco).

Brazilians were unable to leave the neighboring country due to the political crisis that arose after the attempted coup by former president Pedro Castilho last December. He was arrested, and the lawyer Dina Boluarte took power.

The violence of the demonstrations has intensified in recent weeks, with highways such as the Pacific Highway, which connects Peru to Brazil, being blocked.

The caravan has received an escort from the neighboring country’s National Police, who will act to protect the tourists. Demonstrators set up barricades at various points to prevent exits. A frustrated rescue attempt occurred on Wednesday, 11, in the village of Iberia.

According to the commander of the Highway Patrol of the Peruvian National Police, Oscar Ramirez, the most intense blockade, located in the village of Mavilla, was lifted on Thursday night, 12. At other points, the climate is normal.

Tourism undermined

On Friday, 13, the governor of Acre, Gladson Cameli, met with the manager of Sejusp, José Américo, in Rio Branco, to define actions regarding the transfer of Brazilians, many of them Acrians. The state government advised the population to avoid going to Peru, and travel agencies are facing losses due to the crisis.

According to reports from tourists trying to return to Brazil, shopkeepers decided to keep their businesses closed during the presence of demonstrators opposed to the new government. The cities of Lima, Cusco, Puno and Arequipa concentrate most of the protests.

According to the Peruvian Health Ministry, 20 people died and 63 were injured during clashes. The protesters are calling for the resignation of President Dina Boluarte, new elections and the closure of the Peruvian congress.