Hundreds of people took to the streets of the Peruvian capital on Saturday 8 May, to protest against the candidacy of Pedro Castillo from the Peru Libre party.

They accuse the left-winger of wanting to establish communism in Peru.

With flags and shouts against communism and terrorism, people gathered in front of the courthouse located in Lima.

Former presidential candidate Rafael López Aliaga also appeared and had very strong words against Castillo and his sympathisers.

A demonstrator said: "No to Peruzuela (what demonstrators say Peru will be called if Castillo wins and imposes socialism), no to communism, no to Castillo, no to socialism, yes to freedom, long live Peru."

Retired admiral and elected congressman José Cueto said: "We must not allow it, that is why we are here, to fight against communism, we are all one force and we are not going to give up, the country needs order, it needs authority but we need everyone to be with us to fight for democracy and freedom."

Rafael López Aliaga, a former presidential candidate said: "Is Peru going to be Venezuela? Is Peru going to be Cuba? even worse, being North Korea? Over my dead body."

The campaign might be having an effect as Castillo's main opponent, right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori, has narrowed the gap between herself and him in recent polling.

The election will be held on June 6.

This footage was filmed and produced 8 May 2021.

Hundreds of people took to the streets of the Peruvian capital to protest against the candidacy of Pedro Castillo, from the left-wing Peru Libre party, whom they accuse of wanting to establish communism in Peru. With flags and shouts against communism and terrorism, people gathered in front of the courthouse located in Lima. In the end, the former presidential candidate Rafael López Aliaga appeared, who had very strong words against Castillo and his sympathizers.

Interviews:

Demonstrator:
No to Peruzuela (that's how they say Peru will be called if Castillo wins and imposes a communist, socialist regime), no to communism, no to Castillo, no to socialism, yes to freedom, long live Peru.

Admiral (retired) José Cueto. elected congressman:
We must not allow it, that is why we are here, to fight against communism, we are all one force and we are not going to give up, the country needs order, it needs authority but we need everyone to be with us to fight for democracy and freedom .

Rafael López Aliaga, former presidential candidate:
Is Peru going to be Venezuela? Is Peru going to be Cuba? even worse, being North Korea? On my corpse gentlemen, I have it sworn, and we all have it sworn. (It is an expression that means that he is under surveillance and will not leave him alone.)