The political situation in Peru reached a critical point in December 2022, when widespread mobilizations erupted in response to what many perceived as a coup orchestrated by the oligarchy and the Peruvian Congress. The protests, which spread across multiple regions from the north to the south, were largely driven by the most impoverished communities, who demanded the ousting of the coup plotters and the establishment of new elections.
The situation intensified when social organizations in regions like Apurímac declared a state of insurgency and organized widespread strikes. In some areas, like Andahuaylas, the protests escalated to the point where locals, facing repression from the authorities, took police officers hostage. The capital, Lima, while not as heavily mobilized as during previous crises like the removal of Vizcarra in 2020, saw action from students and working-class residents, indicating that the situation could further escalate as more protesters from the provinces arrived.
On December 10, 2022, the Extraordinary National Assembly of Defense Fronts and Social Organizations of Peru convened, bringing together 200 national delegates. They outlined key demands, including the release of former President Pedro Castillo, the dissolution of Congress, the drafting of a new constitution via a Constituent Assembly, and a national strike scheduled for December 15. This strike was supported by various unions and social movements, such as the Federation of Students of Peru, which called for a student strike, and FENATEPERU, the teachers’ union, both of which committed to demonstrations in the capital. Other organizations, like the Rural and Agrarian Front of Peru, also announced their participation through an indefinite strike starting on December 13.
These mobilizations were united by a set of slogans aimed at dismantling the existing structures of power. The demands for the dissolution of Congress, the removal of the new president, and the creation of a Constituent Assembly were seen as direct challenges to the current political system, which is heavily influenced by the oligarchy and fujimorista constitutional frameworks established during the dictatorship of Alberto Fujimori. However, the question remained whether the bourgeois institutions could be trusted to implement such radical changes, as the underlying power structures remained in the hands of the Peruvian oligarchy, multinational corporations, and foreign interests, notably those of the United States.
While many hoped that a new constitution would address the pressing issues faced by the working class and peasantry, the experiences of other Latin American countries, such as Ecuador and Bolivia, demonstrated that even new constitutions do not necessarily dismantle the entrenched economic power of the ruling class. Therefore, the call for a revolutionary national assembly of elected representatives was emphasized as essential for leading the struggle and achieving meaningful change. This assembly would need to challenge the economic assets and power held by the capitalist oligarchy and American imperialism, as these forces maintain control over Peru’s resources, industries, and media, and have played a key role in suppressing the people’s movement.
The December 2022 mobilizations marked the beginning of a larger, sustained effort by workers, peasants, and students to confront the oligarchy and its imperialist backers. The national strike of December 15 was a key moment in this struggle, with further actions, including road blockades and a push to establish a revolutionary assembly, planned to give direction to the movement. Protesters called for the disarmament of police forces to prevent repression and appealed to rank-and-file soldiers to join the cause. There was also a strong push to seize control of the media and major economic assets, including banks and large corporations, as the movement sought to challenge the oligarchy’s grip on power and shift the balance towards the working masses.
The events of December 2022 demonstrated that the fight for control of the country had only just begun. The mass mobilizations were seen as the start of a broader offensive against the corrupt and illegitimate Congress, with the goal of dismantling the structures of oppression and building a new political system that represented the will of the people. The question of power—whether it would remain in the hands of the oligarchy and foreign interests, or be taken up by a united front of workers, peasants, and youth—became central to the struggle. The movement’s success hinged on its ability to organize effectively, spread the mobilization to every corner of the country, and combat the economic and political forces that had long exploited and oppressed the Peruvian people.