Peru's government declared a state of emergency on Wednesday for 30 days as angry protests have rocked different parts of the country after leftist former President Pedro Castillo was removed by the conservative-dominated Congress last week.
The emergency declaration, announced by the defense minister, will allow soldiers to assist police in maintaining public security.
"A state of emergency has been declared for the whole country, due to the acts of vandalism and violence, the seizure of highways and roads," said Defense Minister Alberto Otarola.
The state of emergency entails the suspension of the right to assemble and freedom of transit, among others. The government is evaluating the possibility of declaring a curfew.
A judge in Peru postponed a hearing earlier Wednesday to decide if Castillo will be released from prison.
He was impeached after he tried to dissolve parliament.
