Thousands of protesters marched through the streets of Lima on Saturday to demand the ouster of President Pedro Castillo, who has been the subject of an unprecedented six corruption investigations.

Opponents of the Castillo government marched through the center of the capital until dozens of riot police used tear gas to prevent them from reaching parliament and the government palace.

“I’m coming to the march to get this corrupt man out. Castillo has to go, that’s what this march is for, to get him out,” protester Nancy Huarcaya told AFP.

“We are here, representing millions of Peruvians. Peru can’t take it anymore. We are on the brink of collapse, economically everything is stagnant,” Carola Suarez, who holds a Peruvian flag, told AFP.

Two weeks before a delegation from the Organization of American States arrived to “analyze” the political crisis, similar demonstrations called for by political groups and civil society groups took place in other cities across the country.

At the same time, a mobilization of collectives and unions in support of the President marched in Lima’s San Martin Square.

Castillo, a former rural school teacher, has come under constant fire since he unexpectedly seized power from Peru’s traditional political elite in last year’s elections.

He has survived two impeachment trials since taking office in July 2021 and is the target of six criminal investigations into alleged bribery and plagiarism of his university work.

Additionally, Peru’s Attorney General last month filed a constitutional complaint accusing Castillo of leading a criminal organization involving his family and allies.

Castillo, who is serving a five-year term ending in 2026, cannot be prosecuted while in office.

“You will keep me until the last day of my term because my people have decided so,” Castillo said on Saturday morning at the government palace.

He denies that his family committed any crimes and says he is the victim of a campaign to remove him from power.