Peru is witnessing an extraordinary Gen Z uprising—crowds of students, young professionals, and first-time voters are flooding the streets of Lima, demanding justice, safety, and honesty from those in power.
After Congress forcefully removed President Dina Boluarte in October 2025, and installed interim President José Jerí, frustration boiled over.
Young Peruvians feel betrayed by a system steeped in corruption, incapable of stopping escalating violent crime, and indifferent to their livelihoods.
The Trigger Points Behind the Movement
- Political shock: Congress ousted Boluarte with a unanimous vote, spurring protests that declared the entire political class illegitimate.
- Crime crisis: With over 6,000 homicides reported in the first eight months of 2025, along with surging extortion and street violence, citizens fear for their daily lives.
- Massacre in concert: A deadly shooting at a large music event in Lima sent shockwaves through youth circles, becoming the protest’s signal flare.
- Youth-led organizing: This wave is spontaneous and digital-first—organizers use TikTok, Instagram, Discord, and memes to coordinate mass marches and actions without a central leadership.
Anatomy of the Clashes
Protests turned fierce as youth-led columns attempted to reach government buildings. Police responded with tear gas grenades, rubber bullets, and crowd dispersal tactics.
In multiple confrontations, dozens were injured—protesters with wounds from crowd control weapons, and burning barricades lit up Lima’s central avenues. Protest groups livestreamed arrests in real time, generating viral moments that further fueled mobilization.
Political & Legal Fallout
The courts recently declined to bar the ousted president from traveling abroad, triggering fresh fury among protesters who see the decision as emblematic of elite impunity.
Meanwhile, Peru has seen seven presidents since 2016, reinforcing the narrative of ongoing institutional collapse.
Protesters reject mere symbolic change, insisting on structural reform across Congress, judiciary, and executive agencies.
Key Events Timeline
| Date (2025) | Major Event | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Late September | Youth protests swell | Police clashes, heavy turnout across Lima |
| October 10 | Boluarte impeached | Interim President Jerí takes over |
| October 15 | Renewed uprising | Night demonstrations, barricades in the capital |
| Mid-October | Court ruling | Travel ban request denied for Boluarte |
What Gen Z Demands
- An emergency crime reduction plan emphasizing security without brutality
- Real anti-corruption measures with enforcement across all levels of government
- A guaranteed free, fair, and inclusive election process in April 2026
- Socioeconomic relief—especially for students, gig workers, and marginalized youth
The Road Ahead
The Gen Z movement in Peru is showing staying power. As long as violent crime remains unchecked and corruption scandals proliferate, youth will continue challenging the state—on streets, in online forums, and across university campuses.
The interim government’s legitimacy hinges on whether it delivers credible change, not just rhetoric. Expect more mass mobilizations, strategic disruption, and growing pressure on President Jerí to concede to systemic transformation.
Peru stands at a crossroads. Its Gen Z populace is refusing to settle for empty promises. Their message is blunt: crime cannot coexist with democracy, and corruption must be uprooted.
With streets lit by torchlight, voices amplified by social media, and stakes at their highest, Peru’s youth are writing a new chapter—and those in power must decide whether to listen or be swept aside.
