Tensions are running high in Peru as President José Jerí rejected calls to step down following a deadly protest led by Gen Z activists in Lima. The demonstrations, which began with demands for better wages and pensions, have exploded into a broader movement against corruption, crime, and political dysfunction, resulting in the death of 32-year-old protester and hip-hop artist Eduardo Ruíz, along with over 100 injuries.

Jerí, sworn in on October 10 as Peru’s seventh president in less than a decade, maintained that his role is to ensure stability and restore order. Speaking after a visit to Parliament where he sought expanded powers to combat crime, he said he had no intention of resigning. Authorities confirmed Ruíz was shot during the protests, and Peru’s prosecutor’s office has opened a formal investigation, calling it a potential case of human rights violations. A man accused of being an undercover officer was seen firing into the crowd as he fled from demonstrators, triggering chaos in the streets.

Protesters demand accountability and reform

 

The response from government forces was swift and forceful. At least 80 police officers were injured, along with 24 protesters and 10 journalists, including several who were struck by rubber pellets or assaulted by law enforcement. Protesters were heard chanting accusations against Jerí, referencing a previous rape allegation from which he was cleared in August, though another suspect from the same incident remains under investigation. Demonstrators also condemned his support of six legislative measures that critics say weaken the fight against organized crime. “Jerí is a violin,” protesters shouted—a slang term in Peru for rapist.

In the main square of Lima, 27-year-old electrician David Tafur joined the march after learning about it on TikTok. Like many others, he carried a black flag featuring the skull from the anime One Piece, a symbol that has become a visual trademark of Gen Z-led protests around the world, including in Kenya, Nepal, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Morocco. He said the people marching alongside him were united against corruption and violence, including the recent crackdown that has drawn comparisons to the deadly 2022 protests, where over 50 people were killed.

Government backlash sparks global attention

 

Jerí has faced backlash not just for refusing to resign, but also for appointing ultraconservative former judge Ernesto Álvarez as prime minister. Álvarez previously mocked the Gen Z movement as a disruptive force that doesn’t represent Peru’s working youth. Though he has remained silent since taking office, his past remarks have only added fuel to the public outrage.

Despite the rising tensions, Jerí insisted he would not be stepping down, citing his commitment to national security. Meanwhile, protests continue to gain momentum on social media platforms and in the streets, as Peruvians of all ages demand accountability, a fresh political start, and the repeal of laws they say benefit criminal groups. What began as a local outcry has now drawn global attention as part of a broader wave of Gen Z-led resistance movements challenging entrenched power structures around the world.