Youth Protests Ignite in Peru: Gen Z Rises Against Corruption

Wed Oct 22 2025 07:49:42 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A wave of protests led by young Peruvians is challenging government corruption and insecurity, echoing themes of justice and accountability in a nation facing political turmoil.

In Peru, a series of protests dubbed the 'Gen Z march' erupted as young citizens took to the streets of Lima, clashing with police over rampant corruption and public safety concerns. The protests, triggered by recent pension reforms, saw participation from various groups including transport workers, highlighting widespread frustration with government inaction and corruption. Critics accuse the administration, led by President Dina Boluarte, of failing to address urgent social issues while the president's approval ratings plummet.

In a dramatic display of dissent, police and young anti-government protesters clashed in Lima, Peru, over the weekend. A rights group reported that at least 18 protesters were injured during the 'Gen Z march' held on Saturday and Sunday, highlighting a growing movement among Peru's youth.

The participants, many under 30, marched towards Congress to express their anger over corruption scandals and rising insecurity in the country. Protesters threw stones and other objects, prompting police to respond with tear gas and rubber bullets, according to reports.

The protests initially began on September 20, sparked by recently passed pension reform that requires younger workers to contribute to a private pension fund. This has amplified dissatisfaction among Peruvians, with growing calls for President Dina Boluarte to resign. Her approval rating has languished in the single digits.

We are marching against corruption, for life, and against the crime that is killing us every day, stated 28-year-old protester Adriana Flores, underlining the significance of the movement. Transport workers joined the ranks of protesters, demanding more action against extortion, particularly from gang groups threatening to impose 'protection money' on them.

Several protesters carried placards reading We demand a life without fear, emphasizing their deep-seated frustrations with both the government and the police, whom they accuse of neglecting their pleas for safety.

Despite attempts to breach police barricades surrounding Congress, human rights organization CNDDHH criticized the government’s aggressive tactics against demonstrators, insisting there was no justification for such a heavy-handed response.

Echoing sentiments of accountability, protesters chanting united for the Peru we deserve reached security barriers, ultimately singing the national anthem in solidarity. The public's criticism extends to Congress, where many believe lawmakers are out of touch and self-serving, with one participant lamenting, These people [members of Congress] raise their own salaries, they kill us like flies and don't care about anything. We need a total change; we're sick of this situation. The pressure on President Boluarte continues, as her administration faces mounting scrutiny for its handling of the country’s socio-political climate.