AT LEAST 13 people died on Monday in south-east Peru as protests seeking immediate elections resumed in neglected rural areas of the country still loyal to ousted President Pedro Castillo.

Peru’s top human rights agency called for an investigation into the deaths, 12 of which took place amid clashes between security forces and protesters attempting to seize control of an airport in the city of Juliaca, near the border with Bolivia.

It was the highest death toll since the unrest began in early December, following Mr Castillo’s removal and arrest after an attempt to dissolve Congress and head off his own impeachment.