Peru's President Alberto Fujimori was sworn in for an unprecedented third term yesterday as police fired tear gas to disperse thousands of demonstrators protesting what they see as the trampling of democracy.
Police fought running battles with marchers in the city centre just blocks away from the swearing-in ceremony. At least 84 people were arrested and 49 protesters taken to hospital, including three with bullet wounds, officials said.
Opposition lawmakers, some wearing gas masks to criticise the way Mr Fujimori deals with his rivals, shouted insults at the 62-year-old leader and walked out of the ceremony in protest.
Mr Fujimori, whose 10 years in office have been marked by an autocratic style, defended his highly questioned re-election in his state-of-the-nation address and promised reforms. "I consider necessary the full democratisation of the country. We realise the institutions should be updated with the times," he said.
The opposition leader, Mr Alejandro Toledo, who lost April's first round of voting then boycotted May's run-off charging it was rigged, led marchers shouting "down with the dictatorship!" towards Congress before being forced back by gas.
"They have the police firing at us but never, I tell you again, never will we take one step back," Mr Toledo said.
Mr Fujimori returned to the presidential palace as protesters gathered outside. Central Lima was under a cloud of smoke after fires gutted several government buildings, including the national election body's headquarters, during the clashes.
The march was the culmination of three days of protests which have seen more than 80,000 people rally in the city centre overnight.
Although martial law has not been declared, President Fujimori has placed 30,000 riot troops on the streets of the capital.
A no-fly zone has been declared over the city to stop international observers and journalists from monitoring the rally from the air.
A leading political scientist, Dr Fernando Rospigliosi, said: "It's been a long time since we've seen such forceful protests in Lima and such a willingness by police to respond by throwing gas."
In another show of strength, the Peruvian air force sent a MiG fighter plane armed with missiles over the crowd.