Listen to the news

Peru's Minister of Production Sandra Belaunde Arnillas has resigned amid ongoing mass protests in the South American country, the local Republika newspaper reported.

She is the sixth member of the cabinet to resign from her post after President Dina Bolwarte came to power in December, TASS reported.

Following reports of several deaths during the protests, the ministers of education and culture resigned on December 15.

And on January 14, the Minister of the Interior, the Minister of Labor and Employment and the Minister for Women and Vulnerable Groups resigned.

Peruvian lawmakers yesterday submitted a request for the impeachment of President Bolwarte, who has been in power for just over a month.

The basis for the request is Boluarte's "permanent moral incapacity".

The attempt to remove the president comes against the backdrop of violent protests in which dozens of people have died.

They followed the removal from office last month of the previous head of state, Pedro Castillo. 

Second consecutive night of riots in Lima, dozens arrested

The petition was signed by 28 leftist members of Congress who support Castillo.

To submit such a request, at least 26 signatures are needed, writes BTA.

The request needs to be approved by 52 votes before it can be debated in Congress, where it must garner two-thirds support.

The request states that never before in Peru's history has a government that has been in power for just a month killed more than 40 people during protests.

The petitioners accuse Boluarte of allowing harassment and disproportionate use of force.

Boluarte herself accuses remand Castillo, of whom she was vice president, of fostering political polarization during her 17 months at the helm of Peru.

Bolwarte called for a "political truce" on Tuesday.

She blamed drug traffickers and other forces for fueling the violence on the streets.

The office of the Peruvian Ombudsman reported that yesterday more than 90 blockades were erected in various places in the country, and one person died in the city of Cusco.

At least 47 people have been killed in clashes since protests broke out in December, including a police officer.

There are hundreds of wounded.

Human rights groups have accused law enforcement and soldiers of using excessive force, including live ammunition and tear gas fired from helicopters.

Security forces say protesters, mainly in Peru's southern regions, are using homemade weapons and explosives.