Peru’s gen z leads mass protests against pension reform and corruption

The demonstrations, led by a youth collective known as “Generation Z”, marked Peru’s third major wave of unrest in five years.

On Sunday, more than 500 protesters gathered near government buildings in the capital, where confrontations escalated as demonstrators threw firecrackers and stones while police responded with tear gas, pellets and batons. According to authorities and journalists’ associations, at least 18 people — including police officers, reporters and protesters — were injured. Several journalists reported being deliberately targeted with pellets while covering the events.

The pension reform at the heart of the unrest requires all adults over 18 to join private pension funds (AFPs) or the state system (ONP), a move critics say unfairly burdens young workers in a country where more than 70% of jobs are informal. “Congress has no credibility… it is wreaking havoc in this country”, said protester Celene Amasifuen, reflecting broader frustrations with the government and conservative-majority legislature.

Protesters also denounced rising extortion, violent crime, and corruption scandals tied to President Dina Boluarte’s administration, whose approval ratings have plummeted ahead of next year’s election. Many demonstrators argue that political elites benefit from reforms while ordinary Peruvians face worsening economic insecurity. “They have just repealed laws that benefit, as always, the most powerful”, said protester Kaira Alfaro.

With Generation Z now representing more than one-fifth of Peru’s population, analysts say the mobilisation underscores the growing influence of young people in shaping the country’s political future. Activists have vowed to continue demonstrating, drawing inspiration from similar youth-led movements elsewhere in Latin America and Asia.