In Peru Prime Minister Yehude Simon has resigned because of the clashes between state forces and indigenous peoples in the Amazon region. In June he had announced that he would resign when the clashes had calmed down. The protests had been going on for months over the government’s plans to exploit the area’s natural resources. In June protests left 34 people dead when the police tried to end the blockade of roads and pipelines.

In late June Prime Minister Simon and his government survived a motion of no confidence in the Assembly. Earth Times reports that 61 votes were needed for the motion to be carried and that it received 56 votes, with 32 voting against (i.e. in favour of Simon) and 11 abstentions. This is a clear sign of Peru’s ‘semi-presidentialness’.

President Alan Garcia has appointed Javier Velasquez, from the president’s APRA party, as the new prime minister. He also appointed seven new ministers, replacing the Interior Minister. There are 16 ministers in total.

Former Prime Minister Simon, who only took up the post last October, intends to run for the presidency next year. President Garcia is term limited. Simon wants the support of APRA. He is a member of the Humanist Party. He is likely to face a threat from Ollanta Humala, who is a left-wing nationalist. Given that Garcia’s approval ratings are currently running at around 20%, Simon probably needs to put some distance between himself and the incumbent administration.