Hours after Pedro Castillo was removed in an impeachment trial and arrested during a day of high political drama in the Andean nation, politician Dina Boluarte has been sworn in as interim president.
Following Castillo’s attempt on Wednesday to dissolve the legislature by decree in order to avoid the impeachment vote, which sparked a wave of minister resignations and criticism from allies, Boluarte was promoted from vice president and becomes Peru’s first female president.
During a session of Congress, Boluarte, who is 60 years old, stated that she would assume office “in accordance with the Constitution of Peru, from now until July 26, 2026.” Castillo’s term would have ended at that point.
Prior, Castillo broke down the country’s Congress and called for new administrative decisions, however Congress dismissed the announcement and casted a ballot to supplant him with the VP.
The beleaguered leader announced, “temporarily dissolving Congress… and installing an exceptional emergency government” in a televised message to the nation.
Castillo made the following statement in a speech: “In response to the clamor from citizens throughout the country, we make the decision to establish an emergency government aimed at restoring the rule of law and democracy.”
“As soon as possible to draft a new Constitution within a period of no more than nine months,” he stated, announcing that he would convene a new Congress.
“The country will be governed by executive order starting on this date and continuing until a new Congress is formed.” In his blue suit and presidential sash, the president declared, “A national curfew is decreed as of today from 10:00 pm to 4:00 am.”
Additionally, he announced the “reorganisation of the justice system,” which included the establishment of “the national board of justice and the constitutional court.”
The news came a few hours before Congress was scheduled to discuss Castillo’s third impeachment motion since he was elected in July 2021.
‘Coup d’etat’
With 101 votes in favor, six against, and ten abstentions, Congress supported his removal in defiance of the president’s directive.
Prosecutors said Castillo was taken into custody later.
Castillo “is a prisoner,” said Marita Barreto, facilitator of a group of investigators managing government defilement.
Between Castillo’s leftist administration and Congress, which is largely controlled by right-wing parties, tensions have been rising.
The president’s declaration was branded a “coup d’etat” by Boluarte.
“I reject Pedro Castillo’s decision to break the order of the Constitution by dissolving Congress.” Boluarte wrote on Twitter that “it is a coup d’etat that aggravates the country’s political and institutional crisis.”
In the meantime, Economy Minister and Foreign Minister Cesar Landa declared that he would not resign and that doing so was against the constitution.
Since 2016, the South American nation has had five acting presidents as a result of resignations and dismissals, including Castillo. The political conflict between the two powers is ongoing.
The most recent attempt to impeach, which took place in March, only received 55 votes. The previous one, which took place in December 2021, was never approved by Congress for a formal debate.
Martin Vizcarra, the former president, also dissolved Congress in 2019, but he was later impeached in 2020. The dissolution of Congress was also announced by former president Alberto Fujimori, who is currently in prison for violating human rights and corruption.
Source: TRT World
