Pedro Castillo, the (former) president of Peru attempted a coup d’etat on Wednesday. Things, however, did not turn the way he expected.
A deep political crisis is developing in Peru, a South American country currently run by a leftist government. Peru is one of the biggest countries of the continent, both in terms of land and population, and has witnessed some years of political turmoil.
On Wednesday, Peruvian president Pedro Castillo was supposed to be tried for impeachment before the Congress. A few hours before the vote, however, he declared the dissolution of Congress and a State of Emergency for the whole country.
He then proceeded to declare a “government of exception” that would govern through decree. Appearing on national television, he also declared a curfew.
This move was immediately deemed by his peers as a “coup d’etat”, and it would not be the first attempt in the country’s democratic history. Two other dissolution of Congress were made by former presidents. The first was thirty years ago by Alberto Fujimori, currently in prison for human rights violations. The second, much more recent, was in 2020 by Martin Vizcarra.
Castillo himself went through two previous impeachments, managing to survive both of them. This third vote, however, would have likely not ended up in his favor, hence probably why he decided to act now.
His coup, however, did not go the way he planned.
The aftermath of the coup
Immediately after Castillo forcefully tried to take power, the US ambassador to Peru tweeted that “The United States categorically rejects any extra-constitutional act by President Castillo to prevent Congress from fulfilling its mandate.” No country recognized the new government right away, and Castillo was having internal problems as well.
In the immediate aftermath of the coup, the most important Peruvian members of government denounced the act. “A dissolution of Congress made by this gentleman (Pedro) Castillo who is dying of fear is simply illegal,” said Vice President of Congress Martha Moyano. “We are facing a coup d’état.”
Then, Peruvian Vice President Dina Boluarte rejected Castillo’s attempt, being subsequently summoned by Congress to form a new government.
Meanwhile, Congress proceeded with the impeachment trial like nothing had happened. Of the 87 votes necessary to impeach Pedro Castillo, 101 were casted. Castillo was hiding inside the Mexico Embassy in Lima, and it’s there that it was found.
Pedro Castillo was captured by the Peruvian police and detained, ending the brief but intense coup attempt.
Peruvian democracy is safe for now, but the third golpe in recent times makes analysts wonder how long it will take before the next one. As analyst Denisse Rodriguez-Olivari said, “The democratic system in Peru has broken down.”
Argomenti
