At approximately 0000 local time (0500 UTC) on 5 April 2022, the Peruvian Council of Ministers declared a state of emergency in the Lima and Callao regions amid protests and clashes between police officers and demonstrators angered over rising fuel and fertilizer prices. Under the state of emergency, a curfew is in effect from 0200-2359 local time on 5 April, limiting the freedom of movement and assembly. According to government officials, the measures were implemented to curtail recent widespread protests amid an ongoing strike related to the rising prices.
On 4 April police officers clashed with demonstrators participating in the eighth day of a nationwide freight carriers’ strike in the central city of Huánuco – located approximately 250 km (155 mi) northeast of the capital Lima – and also in the town of Huaycán — located approximately 30 km east of the capital Lima. In Huánuco, police officers clashed with protesters who vandalized the local municipal building, throwing stones and breaking windows. Additionally, protesters attacked motorcycle taxi drivers who were not adhering to the strike. In Huaycán, police officers clashed with approximately 50 protesters as they blocked a section of the Central Highway and threw sticks, stones and other projectiles at public passenger buses for not honoring the strike. One person was injured in the clashes.
Later on 4 April, hundreds of freight carriers obstructed traffic and set fire to tollbooths near kilometer 273 of the Panamericana Sur highway in Ica, Peru, located approximately 300 km (190 mi) south of the capital Lima. Police officers attempted to disperse the protesters but failed to prevent them from gaining control of the highway. Protesters then disrupted traffic along the highway and threw stones and bottles at passing vehicles. Authorities reported that six protesters were injured during the clashes.
