Peru Protests : Gen Z Leads Clashes in Lima Over Pension Reform and Corruption

Lima, Peru — A new political force has erupted in Peru’s capital, as a younger generation, fed up with a government it views as corrupt and out of touch, took to the streets on the weekend of September 20-21, 2025. Protests led by a cohort of young activists, many identifying with “Generation Z,” quickly escalated from organized demonstrations against a deeply unpopular pension reform into a broader challenge to President Dina Boluarte 's fragile administration.

The unrest signals a deep-seated crisis of confidence among young Peruvians who feel excluded from the nation's political and economic decisions. Their frustration is a culmination of years of political instability, rising inequality, and the perception that government officials operate with impunity.

Pension Reform: The Spark That Ignited the Flame

At the heart of the youth-led uprising is a contentious pension reform approved by Congress. The new law makes several key changes to a system already fraught with public distrust:

• Mandatory Contributions: It requires all younger, independent workers to begin contributing to private pension funds (AFPs) by 2028. For a generation largely working in the informal economy, with unstable gigs and inconsistent income, this measure is seen as an unfair burden that benefits private corporations at their expense.
• Withdrawal Limits: The law also curtails the ability of future retirees under the age of 40 to withdraw a significant portion of their retirement savings. This directly impacts those who had previously hoped to access their pension funds for major life events, such as buying a home or starting a business. The changes reverse previous laws that had allowed large, one-time withdrawals, a policy that had been a double-edged sword: while it provided a financial lifeline for many, it also severely depleted national pension savings.

Protesters argue that the reforms are not about long-term stability but rather about forcing money into a private system that has been plagued by allegations of high fees and poor performance.

A Government Under Siege

The pension reform protests are occurring against a backdrop of severe political turmoil and widespread public anger toward President Dina Boluarte. Having assumed office in December 2022 after the impeachment and arrest of her predecessor, Pedro Castillo, Boluarte has governed without a strong popular mandate or a political party in Congress. Her administration has faced a constant barrage of scandals and low approval ratings, which have, at times, plunged to a staggeringly low 2%.

Boluarte 's government has been mired in controversy, from investigations into her alleged illegal enrichment to a brutal crackdown on earlier protests that left dozens dead. Her administration is widely seen as maintaining power through an "under-the-table pact" with a right-wing-dominated Congress, a coalition that has passed legislation to limit government accountability, including a ruling that shields some officials from criminal prosecution.

This environment of perceived impunity has fueled the public's frustration, with the pension reform becoming the latest—and most personal—grievance.

Gen Z: The New Political Vanguard

Unlike past movements, these protests are distinguished by the active leadership of young people, many under the age of 30, who are harnessing digital tools and global activist trends. They are fluent in social media as a tool for organization and information dissemination, using pop culture references like anime and viral memes to connect with a wider audience and articulate complex political messages. Their presence in the streets of Lima, particularly around iconic landmarks like Plaza San Martín, serves as a symbolic demand for a voice in a system they believe has failed them.

The state’s response to the demonstrations was swift and confrontational. Law enforcement deployed tear gas and rubber bullets to prevent protesters from approaching government buildings. The clashes left several people injured, including journalists who were documenting the events, further raising concerns about civil liberties and police conduct.

Challenges and Future Outlook

While Congress has partially backtracked on some of the most contentious aspects of the pension reform, many protesters see these changes as insufficient. The core demands for transparency, a crackdown on corruption, and more representative governance remain unaddressed.

The protests raise critical questions for Peru's future. The youth-led mobilization signals a new era of political engagement, one that is less beholden to traditional party politics and more focused on issues of economic fairness and democratic integrity. The government's ability to navigate this growing wave of discontent without resorting to further repression will be a critical test of its legitimacy and could determine whether the current unrest leads to a broader political transformation.