Supported by the
will unblock National Road Network highways declared in state of emergency —by virtue of Article 2 of
The
Defense and
Interior ministries issued a joint statement on Thursday evening indicating that —as is public knowledge—
various highways in remain blocked in Peru, which constitutes an illegal act against freedom of transit.
Both government agencies pointed out that the Criminal Code classifies as perpetrators of the crime of extortion those who, "with violence or threats, take over premises, obstruct communication routes, hinder free movement, or disturb the normal functioning of public services."
In this sense, the regulation establishes prison sentences of between 5 and 10 years.
"To date, 10 innocent Peruvians have lost their lives as a result of this illegal act, including an unborn child whose mother was unable to receive opportune medical care in La Libertad (region); a newborn in Puno; and a 1-year-old boy in Cusco who could not be attended to due to road blockades," the statement read.
The
Defense and
Interior portfolios reminded
citizens that the right to protest does not entitle obstruction of roads, nor can it be more important than the right to life of people who need to be transferred to receive cancer treatment, or who need oxygen and medicines to arrive in their regions so as to continue living.
The government agencies warned that road blockades have also triggered shortages and increases in the prices of basic food and fuel.
In some regions, said blockades are even putting the potable water supply at risk, which mainly affects the poorest Peruvian citizens.
Finally, the ministries called on the citizens who keep roads blocked to desist from said measures and avoid confrontations with law enforcement agents.
"We call on those who persist in these illegal measures to desist from that, allow the peaceful unblocking of roads, and avoid confrontations with law enforcement agents, who will act in defense of legality —within the framework of Article 137 of the Constitution, Legislative Decrees 1186 and 1095, plus other regulations in force," the statement concluded.