Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, December 17 Peru’s new foreign minister Ana Gervasi formally recalled the ambassadors stationed in Mexico, Argentina, Bolivia and Colombia on the 15th for consultations.
Street demonstrations continue amid ongoing street demonstrations sparked by former Peruvian president Pedro Castillo, who has been impeached by Congress and is now behind bars. The same day, the country’s Supreme Court ruled to extend Castillo’s detention term.
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Gervasi did not specify what measures the Peruvian government could take in response to the aforementioned four Latin American countries.
On the 7th, the Peruvian Congress impeached Castillo for “unconstitutional dissolution of Congress and usurpation of public power”, and the police subsequently arrested him. The four aforementioned countries issued a joint statement on the 12th, expressing “deep concern” over Castillo’s impeachment and detention, saying they still recognize Castillo as the legitimate leader of Peru, and calling for the protection of Castillo’s human and judicial rights. Peru’s new prime minister Pedro Angulo expressed dissatisfaction with the statement, saying his stance “ignored reality”.
The day Castillo was impeached, then-Vice President Dina Boluarte was sworn in as president. New cabinet members, including Angulo and Hevasi, also took office on the 10th, and the new government faces the challenge of restoring internal order.
On December 7, 2022, in Lima, Peru, Dina Boluarte was sworn in as president in Congress. Published by Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Mariana Basso)
Supporters of Castillo have protested and demonstrated in many parts of the country in recent days, demanding the release of Castillo, the resignation of Boluarte and the holding of presidential and congressional elections as soon as possible. Protesters have clashed with police, resulting in the deaths of at least 14 protesters so far and the injury of large numbers of civilians and police officers.
To control the situation, on the 14th Peruvian Defense Minister Alberto Otarola announced a 30-day state of emergency throughout the country: the army will help the police maintain internal order and will be responsible for protecting the security of important structures such as airports and power plants.
On December 14, 2022, police officers were on duty in downtown Lima, the capital of Peru. Published by Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Mariana Basso)
Boluart called on protesters to remain calm and changed his original stance that he wanted to complete the current presidential term and step down by July 2026, saying he would negotiate with Congress to bring forward the general election. According to his latest statement, the date of the next general election has been set forward to December 2023.
However, the latest Supreme Court ruling could intensify the demonstrations.
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On the 15th a panel of the Supreme Court upheld the prosecution’s request to impose preventive detention on Castillo for 18 months, pending the conclusion of the prosecution’s investigations.
On July 28, 2021, in Lima, the capital of Peru, Castillo was sworn in Congress. Published by Xinhua News Agency (Photo courtesy of the Presidential Palace of Peru)
Castillo is currently being held in a police-run detention center in Lima. The prosecution accused Castillo of rebellion and conspiracy. The Supreme Court began hearings on the 8th and approved Castillo’s detention for 7 days. Castillo appeared in court twice via video link, denying all charges and acknowledging Congress’s decision to impeach him. The Supreme Court ruling of 15 decided to extend Castillo’s detention on the grounds of “avoidance prevention”.
Peru’s state attorney general, Alcides Chinchay, said Castillo could face at least 10 years in prison if found guilty of rebellion.
Political turmoil has affected tourism, an important source of income for Peru. Many flights to many popular tourist attractions depart from Arequipa International Airport in southern Peru, but the airport has been closed due to the impact of protesters; passenger trains to the ancient city of Machu Picchu have been suspended; the Peruvian section of the US Highway was blocked. (Shenmin)
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