Rosalino Flores was a 22-year-old student whose life was cut short amid the brutal crackdown on protests in Peru. On January 11, during the height of the anti-government demonstrations, he suffered injuries after being struck by 36 pellets in Cuzco. The incident added to the rising death toll tied to the suppression of protests against Dina Boluarte’s government, a toll that has grown steadily as events unfolded in the days and weeks that followed. By mid-January, observers in Lima reported that Flores died after nearly two months of complications from his injuries while being treated at a hospital in the capital. The National Coordinator for Human Rights (CNDDHH) documented the loss on social media, expressing deep sorrow and solidarity with Flores’ family and noting that civilians had now died during the demonstrations and their aftermath, with 49 fatalities recorded to that point (CNDDHH).
Political leaders and lawmakers reacted to the news through social media as well. Left-wing congresswoman Ruth Luque conveyed her condolences on her Twitter account, describing Flores as a young man whose life and aspirations were disrupted by government action. Luque stressed that each new death adds a heavy burden to the administration, underscoring the human cost of the ongoing crisis. She had earlier highlighted that Flores’ transfer from Cuzco to Arzobispo Loayza Hospital in Lima marked the two-month milestone since the youth was moved to intensive care, where he reportedly received only parenteral nutrition—a stark reminder of the conditions facing patients during the protests (Luque).
Witnesses and family members have provided further details of the incident. Flores, who studied gastronomy, was reportedly helping others who were overwhelmed by tear gas when he was shot at close range by police officers. The information, relayed by his brother Juan José and corroborated by security footage, shows the family’s account of the event. According to the brother, Flores did not carry a firearm or any weapon; instead, he rushed to aid the injured and was struck from a distance of roughly four to five meters. The resulting injuries affected multiple organs, necessitating urgent surgical intervention. The family’s statements, recorded by independent journalists and researchers, paint a picture of a young man acting to assist others in a dangerous moment, not engaging in violence (Ojo Público and corroborating security footage).
Data from Peru’s Ombudsman Institution place Flores’ death within a broader pattern of fatalities during protests and the policing response. The tally includes civilians who lost their lives in clashes with law enforcement, as well as cases involving people reportedly burned and individuals who perished during barricade confrontations. These numbers reflect a period of intense civil unrest and a policing approach that drew widespread concern from human rights observers and international organizations alike (Ombudsman Institution).
Beyond Flores’ case, the crisis drew attention to other casualties and related incidents. The Boluarte administration acknowledged additional deaths linked to ongoing blockades, and UNICEF reported the death of an unborn child alongside the death of a woman in Peru’s northern La Libertad region, highlighting the broader humanitarian impacts of the protests on civilians and communities across the country. The response from authorities and international agencies came under scrutiny as questions about civilian protection, medical access, and the handling of demonstrations continued to dominate discussions among policymakers and human rights advocates (UNICEF; Boluarte administration).
In the days that followed, statements from officials and international organizations added layers to the ongoing narrative. Prime Minister Alberto Otárola confirmed that four Haitian citizens had died during the unrest, a figure that later grew as the international community, including UN agencies, monitored conditions for vulnerable populations and the ability of people in affected areas to access essential services. The situation also prompted warnings about the dangers faced by migrants and refugees in Peru during periods of political upheaval, with Acnur and other bodies calling for protection and assistance for those displaced or stranded (Otárola; Acnur).
On a separate note, reports indicated further fatalities among security personnel who were trying to manage the protests. Six soldiers died after an incident believed to involve drowning while attempting to cross the Ilave River in an effort to avoid clashes with protesters in the southern region around Puno. These incidents underscore the volatility of the situation and the wide-reaching consequences for communities across Peru as authorities and protesters continued to confront each other in various locales (regional reports).