At least 18 people were reported injured during anti-government protests in Lima on Saturday, September 21, 2025, following clashes between demonstrators and riot police.
Hundreds of protesters, many affiliated with the youth-led “Generation Z” group, gathered in the central areas of the capital to voice discontent with President Dina Boluarte’s administration.
As the march approached presidential and parliamentary buildings, tensions escalated. Demonstrators hurled stones and sticks, while police used tear gas to prevent them from advancing.
Among the injured are twelve police officers and six journalists. The National Association of Journalists of Peru (ANP) says several reporters were struck by pellets fired by police while covering the demonstrations. One photojournalist from Hildebrandt en Sus Trece reported being hit in the leg and hip.
Human rights groups and journalist associations criticized the police for what they described as excessive force. The National Human Rights Coordinator joined in condemning the deployment of crowd‐control tactics that appear to have harmed non-violent participants.
The protests reflect growing dissatisfaction with Boluarte’s government, amid rising concerns about corruption, crime, and political instability. Opinion polls suggest her administration and a conservative majority in Congress are broadly viewed by many Peruvians as failing to address pressing social issues.
By Michelle Ndaga
