Peru's president calls for 'dialogue' after Lima clashes

Peru's president calls for 'dialogue' after Lima clashes

Peru's president, Dina Boluarte, calls for "dialogue" and "calm" as the anti-government protests that have been raging across the country for over a month reach the capital city, Lima.

Protesters gathered in the city of Thursday to take their demands -- for Boluarte to step down and for fresh elections to take place -- directly to the presidential palace.

In regions like Cusco, Puno and Arequipa, clashes continue and Peru's human rights authority has reported a total of 44 people killed in the unrest, which was triggered by the ousting and arrest of former president Pedro Castillo in early December last year.