Later, Peruvian justice announced the arrest of Pedro Castillo.
He is under arrest
, prosecutor Marita Barreto told the press after the publication by the judicial administration of images showing the former head of state, deposed by Parliament, seated in an armchair and surrounded by prosecutors and police. A judicial source told AFP that an investigation into rebellion
was opened against Mr. Castillo.
J’assume [le pouvoir] in accordance with the Constitution of Peru from that moment
and until July 2026
when Mr. Castillo’s mandate was to end, declared during a ceremony before Parliament Ms. Boluarte, a 60-year-old lawyer.
Elected in July 2021 alongside the now ex-left-wing president and from the same Marxist-inspired party (Free Peru) as him, she is the first woman to lead Peru.
Six investigations are opened against Pedro Castillo for corruption or influence peddling, of which his family and his political entourage are also accused.
In addition, the whereabouts of his wife and children are also unknown, while rumors point to a possible asylum at the Mexican Embassy in Lima.
His dismissal for moral incapacity
broadcast live on television, was approved by 101 of the 130 parliamentarians, including 80 in the opposition.
American diplomacy immediately let it be known that it no longer considered Pedro Castillo as the country’s current president and praised the role of parliamentarians.
Last minute maneuvers
In a last-minute effort to save himself from impeachment, Pedro Castillo had announced the dissolution of parliament just hours before it was to meet to debate his fate.
He also announced the creation of a exceptional emergency government
aiming to restore the rule of law and democracy
and assured want convene as soon as possible a new Congress with constituent powers to draft a new constitution within a period not exceeding nine months
.
The judiciary, the judiciary, the public ministry, the National Council of Justice and the Constitutional Court are declared in reorganization
he also announced.
Dropped by his vice-president
Dina Boluarte immediately denounced on Twitter a coup that aggravates the political and institutional crisis that Peruvian society will have to overcome by strictly respecting the law
.
It’s a coup doomed to failure, Peru wants to live in democracy
also reacted Francisco Morales, president of the Constitutional Court, to RPP radio. No one owes obedience to a usurping government
he added.
divergent opinions
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Parliament. We are tired of this corrupt government, this government that [nous] been flying since day one
Johana Salazar, a 51-year-old worker, told AFP, referring to the government of Pedro Castillo.
He will go to jail. I feel sorry for him and his family
sympathized Roxana Torres, a 48-year-old retailer, while Ricardo Palomino, a 50-year-old systems engineer, said he hoped that Dina Boluarte works well
et surrounds herself with people who can advise her well
.
Others, however, called to respect the vote of the people
like Sissy, a 50-year-old municipal employee. The vote of the people must be respected. Since the president arrived, they have humiliated him, they have not accepted a president from the provinces. The people are not Lima, it’s all of Peru
she was indignant.
Moral incapacity
Peruvian Congress President Jose Williams Zapata releases the result of the vote to impeach President Pedro Castillo during the plenary session in Lima.
Photo : Getty Images / CRIS BOURONCLE
Mr. Castillo had previously escaped two motions by Parliament for his dismissal, the last of which in March 2022, which blamed him in particular for repeated ministerial crises and the formation of four governments in eight months, an unprecedented event in Peru.
This same dismissal for moral incapacity
who has already brought down two sitting presidents, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (right) in 2018 and Martin Vizcarra (center) in 2020, got the better of Pedro Castillo (left).
The eviction of Mr. Vizcarra had triggered violently repressed demonstrations which left two dead and a hundred injured. His departure had led Peru to have three presidents in five days.