Peru's armed forces to take control of key infrastructure amid protests

FILE PHOTO: Protesters who demand the dissolution of Congress as well as democratic elections, rejecting Dina Boluarte as Peru's president after former leader Pedro Castillo was ousted, take part in a demonstration in Arequipa, Peru December 13, 2022. REUTERS/Oswald Charca

LIMA (Reuters) -Peru's armed forces will take control of the "protection" of key infrastructure, its defense minister said Tuesday, as protests that have led to at least six deaths continue across the country following the ousting of its former president.

Peru's new president, Dina Boluarte, had earlier in the day pledged to work with Congress to see if the next election could be held sooner than previously proposed and pleaded for calm. She also said she would speak with other regional leaders who came to the defense of jailed former President Pedro Castillo.