Peruvian and Unrest: Situation Report 11/17/2020 Presidential tumult likely to impede COVID response On 9 Nov, a politically expedient vote to impeach Martin Vizcarra, the country’s most Past 60 Days popular politician, led to protests exacerbated by COVID-19; restive protests are very likely to continue. After acting president resigned on 15 Nov in response to protests, centrist was promoted to president on 17 Nov.

Demonstrations are almost certain to continue, especially in the metropolitan area and larger cities such as and Trujillo, where confrontations with the security forces remain probable. Any perceived police repression is expected to increase the intensity of protests and number of protesters. As the pandemic surges on, leadership turnover at the highest level can be expected to remain an obstacle for any sort of cohesive COVID-19 response plan in a country where government programs may be necessary in order to stave off participation in the country’s massive informal economy.

Hyperion Analytics: Over the past 60 days, Hyperion has shown a marked downward trend in Pulse stability for Peru, with health and crime as primary drivers of instability. The Pulse stability rating has dropped since the start of the protest movement on 9 Nov, from a high point of 55 on 6 Nov to a low of 38 by 13 Nov, a total drop of 17 points in seven days. Over the past seven days, Lima unrest and crime have been the primary drivers of instability – Hyperion has tagged 167 Past 60 Days unrest events during this timeframe, 100 of which were in Lima, accounting for nearly 75% of total unrest events in the past 60 days.

The Hyperion forecast for the country shows it is expected to remain in the lower half of the 0-100 Pulse rating – highlighting persistent instability as the government attempts to coalesce around a strategy and protesters demand a path forward.