On Wednesday, December 2,2022, Peru, a South American country, swore in a new President following a day of political drama that saw leftist leader and now-former President Pedro Castillo arrested in reference to his removal from office in an impeachment trial after making an attempt to retain power by dissolving Congress.
Pedro Castillo sought to close the legislature by executive order, but lawmakers ignored him and carried out the previously scheduled impeachment trial with 101 votes in favor, six against, and 10 abstentions.
After the outcome was announced to loud applause, Vice President Dina Boluarte was asked to assume office by the legislature.
As Peru’s first female president, 60-year old Dina Boluarte who will hold office through 2026, was sworn in. After several months of unrest, including two past attempts at impeachment, she called for a political truce and announced the formation of a new cabinet that would include representatives from all major parties.
Castillo’s decision to dissolve Congress as a “attempted coup” was denounced by the new Peru President Dina Boluarte.
Castillo had declared he would call for new legislative elections, establish a “government of exception,” and temporarily dissolve Congress.
That sparked resignations by his ministers amid angry accusations from both opposition politicians and his allies that he was attempting a coup. The police and armed forces warned him that the route he had taken to try to dissolve Congress was unconstitutional and the police said they had “intervened” to fulfill their duties.
In response to enraged charges that he was plotting a coup, resignations were sparked by his ministers amid the accusations from both his allies and the opposition. The police claimed they had “intervened” in order to carry out their duty, and informed him that the path he had taken in an attempt to dissolve Congress was unconstitutional.
The public ministry announced on Wednesday that Castillo had been arrested and charged with “rebellion” and “conspiracy” offences for violating the law.
There were a few minor street demonstrations with dozens of people in Lima, the country’s capital waving Peruvian flags in celebration of Castillo’s defeat, while his followers marched and engaged in street combat with law enforcement in the city of Arequipa and other parts of the city as one Peruvian citizen carried a sign which read: “Pedro, the people are with you.”
Author-Roberta Appiah
