Person Burned in Chorrillos Protest: Conflicting Accounts Emerge

A person was reportedly injured in a fire during a protest at Playa Pescadores in Chorrillos, a district of Lima, Peru, on May 21, 2025. According to the mayor of Chorrillos, Fernando Velasco, the incident occurred during clashes between merchants and the National Police. "During the confrontation between merchants and the National Police, one of those involved improperly handled a homemade bomb, causing their clothes to catch fire," Velasco stated. However, a local merchant disputes this version of events. "It wasn't a person, it was a tire that caught fire," the merchant, who wished to remain anonymous, told La República. The injured person reportedly received immediate medical attention and is in stable condition, according to municipal authorities. The incident highlights ongoing tensions in the area and raises questions about the use of homemade explosives during protests.