Peru's interim President Manuel Merino resigns after protest deaths

[sandensea]

Peru’s interim president, Manuel Merino, resigned on Sunday, less than a week into his new administration, after protests calling for his removal left two dead and dozens injured, plunging the country into yet another political crisis.

Merino assumed the presidency on Tuesday after the opposition-dominated Congress voted to remove his predecessor Martin Vizcarra, over bribery allegations, which he denies.

At: https://www.reuters.com/article/BigStory12/idUSKBN27V0L9

Peruvian President Manuel Merino announcing his resignation today after just 5 days in office.

Merino, the third Peruvian president to step down ahead of time since 2018, presided over a week of massive protests against what many see as the partisan removal of popular former President Martín Vizcarra.

Ipsos polls found that 72% of Peruvians in urban areas disapproved of Merino, while 79% believed Vizcarra should finish his term.

[Judi Lynn]

1. This is a powerful statement from the people of Peru to the opposition, isn't it?

It could be the first time something like this has happened so quickly!

Just found an article published hours after the Reuters article you posted:

Peru's interim president resigns after massive protests
BY DOMINICK MASTRANGELO - 11/15/20 06:06 PM EST

Peru's interim president resigned on Sunday following massive protests in the country as citizens accuse the government of staging a parliamentary coup of the country's former leader.

Manuel Merino said in an address to the nation he agreed to resign after protests in Peru turned deadly this weekend and several members of his cabinet resigned, The Associated Press reported.

“I, like everyone, want what’s best for our country,” Merino said.

The country's congress earlier this fall ousted former President Martín Vizcarra, sparking massive demonstrations and allegations of corruption.

“It can’t be that the institution that got us into this political crisis, that has for five days paralyzed Peru, with deaths, is going to give us a solution, choosing the person who they best see fit,” Vizcarra said of Merino's resignation, the AP reported.

More:
https://thehill.com/homenews/526080-perus-interim-president-resigns-after-massive-protests

~ ~ ~

It's a total "in your face" to the fascists trying to take over the government again. Sure hope fate will have some surprises for the people who could use some good news at long last.