Political crisis in Peru. The country’s vice president, Dina Boluarte, took over the country this Wednesday, shortly after the parliamentary dismissal of President Pedro Castillo. The latter had announced, a few hours before the vote on an impeachment motion against him, the dissolution of Parliament and the formation of an “exceptional government.”
He also assured that he wants to “convene as soon as possible a new Congress with constitutional powers to draft a new Constitution within a period of no more than nine months.”
Until the constitution of a new Parliament, “the Government will act by decree-laws,” he continued, also announcing “national curfew as of today” between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m.
But Castillo will not remain in office. He was arrested by the police and detained in the prefecture of Lima, reports CNN.
Political and institutional crisis
“I assume (power) in accordance with the Constitution of Peru, from now until July 26, 2026,” Dina Boluarte, a 60-year-old lawyer, the first woman to lead Peru, told parliament on Wednesday.
A few hours before, he had denounced his predecessor’s “coup d’état” attempt, “which aggravates the political and institutional crisis that Peruvian society will have to overcome while strictly respecting the law.”
Dismissal for “moral incapacity”
US diplomacy has made it known that it no longer considers Pedro Castillo as the current president of the country. “What I understand is that with the action of Congress, it is now former President Castillo,” US State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters, acknowledging the role of parliamentarians.
Pedro Castillo, in power since July 2021, is the subject of six investigations for alleged corruption, of which his family and his political environment are also accused.
His dismissal for “moral incapacity”, broadcast live on television, was approved by 101 of the 130 parliamentarians, including 80 from the opposition. He had previously escaped two similar motions, the last of which was in March 2022.
Source: BFM TV
