Peru Protests Escalate: Fire Set Near Congress as Police Respond

Lima, Peru – Intense confrontations erupted on Abancay Avenue as protesters attempted to set fire to the fence surrounding the Congress building. The incident, which occurred late evening, saw demonstrators igniting objects near the parliamentary complex, leading to a swift and forceful response from the Peruvian National Police (PNP). Eyewitness accounts and video footage reveal police officers deploying tear gas to disperse the crowd, while others used fire extinguishers to control the blaze. The situation quickly escalated from a peaceful demonstration, with a large number of protesters gathered, many recording the events on their mobile phones. "The situation went out of control," a reporter stated, describing the chaotic scene where police were seen moving with shields, attempting to manage the volatile crowd and extinguish the fires. Authorities are working to restore order and investigate the origins of the fire.