The Executive Council of the Latin American Studies Association (LASA) expresses its outrage over the brutal repression that the State of Peru has deployed in response to social protest and citizen demonstrations since December 8, 2022. As an academic association, LASA is particularly concerned about the brutal police repression on Jan. 21 at the hemisphere’s oldest public university, the National University of San Marcos, in which police stormed the gates of the university, and in an arbitrary and violent fashion, began to raid dorm rooms, fire tear gas, and question and detain students and visitors. The police intervened without the presence of a public prosecutor, as required by law, and for several hours prevented lawyers, human rights defenders and representatives of the Ombudsman’s Office from entering the campus and speaking with those being detained.
About LASA
The Latin American Studies Association (LASA) is the largest professional association in the world for individuals and institutions engaged in the study of Latin America. With over 13,000 members, over 60% of whom reside outside the United States, LASA is the one association that brings together experts on Latin America from all disciplines and diverse occupational endeavors, across the globe. LASA's mission is to foster intellectual discussion, research, and teaching on Latin America, the Caribbean, and its people throughout the Americas, promote the interests of its diverse membership, and encourage civic engagement through network building and public debate.
If you wish to interview a LASA Executive Council member, you can contact the LASA communications office at (412) 648-7929 or send an email to lasa@lasaweb.org.