Puno overcoming Aduviri's imprisonmentDuring the weeks after the judicial ruling condemning Aduviri to six years of prison, some of his supporters (mainly aymara population fro the south of Puno) began protests and even threatened with starting up a new "Aymarazo" if Aduviri wasn't set free by the judicial authorities. But despite the sometimes exaggerated press reports, the truth is that the protest has been carried out by only a few hundreds of people (financed by the regional government btw), and that the main demands in their agenda were not related to Aduviri's freedom, but rather to other current popular outcries in Peru, like the advancement of General Elections to 2020 (from 2021) and the cancellation of Tia Maria's construction license.
Yesterday the Regional Council of Puno finally agreed to commission the regional government to the vice-governor Agustin Luque so he has full legal attributions to govern during the following months, while Aduviri's appeals are being processed in the Judiciary. Also, the population of Puno has began to demonstrate against any type of violence, asking for the protests to cease. It seems it is still fresh in their minds the memory of the huge losses caused by the Aymarazo in 2011.
https://larepublica.pe/sociedad/2019/09/13/puno-agustin-luque-asume-sillon-regional-en-forma-temporal/ Puno: Agustin Luque temporarily assumes regional government
The vice governor of Puno, Agustin Luque Chayna, will assume the reins of the regional government during the next months. The decision was adopted by the Regional Council.
Seventeen of its members approved granting powers to Agustin Luque on behalf of Walter Aduviri Calisaya.
Aduviri is serving six years' imprisonment for the crime of disturbances due to violence during the Aimarazo. This conflict broke out in 2011 in rejection of mining concessions.
The councilors based their decision on article 23 of the Organic Law of Regional Governments. This establishes that, in the event of absence or temporary impediment, the Vice Governor assumes responsibility with the prerogatives and powers of office.
They found support on to these regulations, while the appeal to the ruling on Aduviri is resolved in the second instance.
Last Monday, it was decided to discuss the suspension of Aduviri in office for 120 days. However, that idea was frustrated, because the number of legal votes was not reached. That agreement was elevated to the National Election Jury (JNE).
Now the agreement, which the councilors took yesterday to give governor functions to the regional vice governor Agustin Luque, will also be elevated to the JNE.
This electoral body will have to grant the credentials to Agustin Luque, so that he executes measures according to the investiture he will exercise.
On the other hand, the defense lawyer of Walter Aduviri has already filed an appeal to the six-year sentence, which will be seen in no more than a month and a half. His followers are hopeful that the Judiciary, in the second instance, will vary their situation.
More than 500 residents, among students and operators of the tourism sector, marched yesterday for peace with the motto: "Puno, a peaceful and friendly city". Although they respect the claims of social organizations, they reject all types of violence.
To this mobilization, residents of the floating islands of the Uros folded, as well as inhabitants of the island of Amantani and tourism operators of the lacustrine city.