LIMA, Jan 21, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - A protester violently grabbed Peruvian

President Dina Boluarte on Saturday during an event in the southern Ayacucho
region, where 10 people were killed in mass anti-government demonstrations
more than a year ago.

TV footage of the assault showed Boluarte in traditional clothing surrounded
by a crowd of people as she throws out candy, when a shouting woman
approaches and grabs the president.

A chaotic scene ensues as police intervene to separate the woman, with
Boluarte seemingly uninjured and rejoining the event.

The woman said she held Boluarte responsible for the death of her husband
during the December 2022 protests in Ayacucho.

Boluarte, 61, came to power that month after former leftist president Pedro
Castillo tried to dissolve Congress and rule by decree, leading to his quick
ouster and arrest.

Violent protests demanding Boluarte step down and fresh elections be held
followed across the country.

The ensuing crackdown by security forces left almost 50 people dead,
according to an estimate by Human Rights Watch, which accused the authorities
of extrajudicial and arbitrary killings.

Multiple legal proceedings accusing Boluarte of responsibility for the deaths
were launched after the crackdown.

Interior Minister Victor Torres said after Saturday's event that "drastic"
disciplinary measures would be taken against members in charge of the
president's security and that bodyguards would be dismissed.

Prime Minister Alberto Otarola condemned the attack, saying: "This
unfortunate event endangered the safety of the head of state and is extremely
serious."

"With violence, we all lose as a country," he said on X, formerly Twitter.

Boluarte is Peru's sixth president since March 2018 and the first woman to
hold the role.