Peru government has announced a nationwide state of emergency, granting special powers to police and limiting freedoms including the right to assembly. Defence Minister, Alberto Otarola informed this. The development comes after a week of fiery protests that have left at least eight dead.<br />'' <br />''The protests were sparked by the ousting of former President Pedro Castillo on 7th December in an impeachment vote. Castillo, a leftist elected in 2021 was arrested after illegally trying to dissolve the Andean nation's Congress. This is the latest in a series of political crisis Peru has faced in recent years.