Overview

• Thousands of mostly young demonstrators marched on September 20 in Lima’s historic center to oppose Law No. 32123 on mandatory pension affiliation and to voice wider grievances over governance, jobs and past protest deaths.
• Clashes intensified near Plaza San Martín and Avenida Abancay as police blocked routes and deployed tear gas, with rights and press groups reporting pellet fire that struck protesters and reporters.
• IPYS and the ANP documented injuries to journalists, including Exitosa’s Jahaira Pacheco and cameraman Percy Grados, Ojo Público’s Diego Quispe and Gabriel García, and Hildebrandt en sus Trece’s César Zamalloa.
• In an official communiqué, the PNP said 12 officers were hurt and cited vandalism by about 450 people, including a fire at the Lima Superior Court frontage and damage to public property, asserting legitimate use of force and noting no abuse complaints filed.
• The police posted that they did not acknowledge attacks with pellets, a stance disputed by press groups, as demonstrations resonated beyond the capital with actions reported in Arequipa, Cusco and Huancayo and calls for accountability continued.