On December 7, 2022, the dismissal of Pedro Castillo—in clear disregard of the popular will— unleashed protests in various regions of Peru. Violent interventions by the armed forces and police, especially in Puno, Ayacucho and Apurimac, left dozens of people dead, wounded and arbitrarily detained, creating a scenario of state violence and serious human rights violations. Although the media debate was mainly concentrated in Lima and the political elites showed their complicity, the mobilizations demanded a transformation that respects their political and social rights, as well as the possibility of a new Constitution as a way to eradicate poverty, inequality and impunity.

Since the coup d’état against President Castillo—who, unlike Dina Boluarte, maintained more than 30% approval rating and had won the elections despite the attempts of the ultra-right to delegitimize him—the Executive lost the confidence of broad social sectors, who felt their will expressed in the ballot box was violated. In addition to the investigations of massacres that took place during the repression, Boluarte’s administration has been marked by corruption scandals and investigations for illicit enrichment and abandonment of office. His government has also been singled out for restricting freedom of expression, including threats to critical media and censorship of cultural events. These actions have deepened the crisis of legitimacy and governance in the country.

At the same time, the Legislative Branch, with an approval rating of barely 5%, like that of Dina Boluarte, is perceived as an actor that reinforces impunity and erodes trust in institutions. The Branch’s lack of democratic vocation is reflected in its control of the Constitutional Tribunal and in the approval of constitutional reforms, such as the reinstatement of bicameralism, without respecting due process or consulting the citizenry. In addition, legislative initiatives that criminalize protests, equating them with acts of terrorism, seek to delegitimize and stifle social discontent through fear and repression, consolidating an authoritarian model that restricts the right to protest and silences popular demands.

The media, a fourth “power”, is also responsible for amplifying the crisis. On the one hand, large media conglomerates have tended to focus on Lima, generating a narrative that often invisibilizes the experiences and demands of the regions most affected by repression and poverty. On the other hand, coverage of social conflicts is often stigmatizing, classifying protesters as “violent” without providing adequate context about the structural causes that motivate the protests. This biased presentation, coupled with economic and political pressures on the media, deepens the disconnect between the capital and the rest of the regions.

From the citizenry’s perspective, the repression of protests and serious human rights violations— including allegations of extrajudicial executions and the systematic use of force—reveal the extent to which institutions have failed to protect the population. The international panorama paints institutional weakness and impunity as a problem that allows groups with economic and political power to ignore grassroots demands. Far from being considered a passing phenomenon, many Peruvians perceive it as a confirmation that the prevailing political model has failed to guarantee true respect for their fundamental rights and to respond to the urgent demands of society.

In these circumstances, the Executive, the Legislative, a Judiciary without independence and discredited media can hardly offer a way out of the crisis. On the other hand, this scenario could become an opportunity for civil society organizations to consolidate themselves as an effective bridge to channel popular demands if they rethink their strategies and approach the most affected communities, overcoming this centrist vision. By achieving greater community involvement and offering inclusive solutions to repressive government measures, we can play a decisive role in achieving a democratic solution that truly addresses the needs of all citizens and lays the foundations for political and social reconstruction based on justice and equity.