Peru’s interim president resigns after massive protests

Peru’s interim president resigned on Sunday following massive protests in the country as citizens accuse the government of staging a parliamentary coup of the country’s former leader. 

Manuel Merino said in an address to the nation he agreed to resign after protests in Peru turned deadly this weekend and several members of his cabinet resigned, The Associated Press reported. 

“I, like everyone, want what’s best for our country,” Merino said.

The country’s congress earlier this fall ousted former President Martín Vizcarra, sparking massive demonstrations and allegations of corruption. 

“It can’t be that the institution that got us into this political crisis, that has for five days paralyzed Peru, with deaths, is going to give us a solution, choosing the person who they best see fit,” Vizcarra said of Merino’s resignation, the AP reported. 

The Peruvian Congress has reportedly called an emergency session on Sunday to discuss the next steps in replacing Merino.

Peru, a country of roughly 32 million, has been one of the South American countries worst hit by the coronavirus, with an estimated 933,000 cases and 35,000 deaths.