Protests in Peru have resulted in “nationwide mayhem” and over 50 injuries

When police and demonstrators battled on Friday night during the country’s growing anti-government marches, tensions once again erupted, leaving dozens of Peruvians hurt.

As fires raged in the streets of Lima, the country’s capital, police deployed tear gas to disperse protesters throwing glass bottles and stones.

According to a statement made to the media by Interior Minister Vicente Romero, over 1,500 protestors attacked a police station in the town of Ilave in the Puno area of the country.

Romero reported that a police station was also on fire in Zepita, Puno.

Eight persons were hospitalized in Ilave due to wounds, including broken arms and legs, eye contusions, and punctured abdomens.

According to a report from Peru’s Ombudsman, 58 persons had been hurt during rallies across the country by late afternoon.

Following a day of upheaval on Thursday, when one of Lima’s most historic buildings was destroyed in a fire, President Dina Boluarte promised to crack down harder on “vandals.”

Officials described the loss of the structure, a nearly century-old home in the center of Lima, as a “monumental asset.” Authorities are looking into the reasons.

Romero asserted that the fire was “duly planned and arranged” on Friday.

This week, tens of thousands of demonstrators converged in Lima, demanding reform and outraged by the rising death toll from the demonstrations, which reached 45 on Friday.

Since President Pedro Castillo was overthrown in December after attempting to dismiss the legislature to stop an impeachment vote, protests have erupted across Peru.

Up until this week, the south of Peru has seen the most of the turmoil.