has affirmed that his administration will not tolerate acts of violence such as those occurred in Downtown Lima last afternoon during a march called by a group of people.
"What I am interested in pointing out now, with all clarity, is that we cannot and we will not tolerate any acts of violence; today, we have seen authorities, ministers, and journalists attacked in a violent manner; we respect the right to demonstrate peacefully (…)," Mr. Sagasti said in
remarks to Canal N on Wednesday night.
"But what has happened today marks a breaking point, as this cannot continue; thus, we will take the corresponding measures," he added.
In this sense, the Head of State indicated that the National Police of Peru relies on a whole scheme of action, in accordance with the intensity level of the recent riots.
The top official specified that —over the last five months— two loads of tear gas were used, in contrast to November 2020 —a few days before he took office— when "hundreds were used." It means that his administration is trying to maintain calm and peace.
"Based on a discipline that we have clearly raised, the Police, the Interior minister, and the Director General of the Police are complying with their duties and will continue to do so; as always, we have respected all peaceful demonstrations, but what we have seen today is already out of line," he emphasized.
Likewise, the Peruvian leader said it is clear that those who are involved in such violent acts are "a very small group of violent people" with others around them, who carry helmets and sticks. It does not denote attending a "peaceful march."
"What is clear with the National Police and the Ministry of Interior is that we will not let this happen again, and the people who demonstrate violently will be intervened," he pointed out.
The National Election Board (JNE) has yet to announce to the winner of the June 6 presidential runoff election.