A look at years of political chaos in Peru
2 years ago

A look at years of political chaos in Peru

Al Jazeera  

Peruvian politics is marked by series of corruption cases and crises, the latest being removal of President Pedro Castillo. On Wednesday, Peru’s Congress voted to remove President Pedro Castillo in the third impeachment trial since he came to power in July last year. Here is a rundown of Peru’s recent political turmoil: Pedro Castillo, 2021-2022 A former teacher and farmer, Castillo gained strong support in poor, rural areas of the country to win a divisive election campaign but his approval ratings fell quickly and he faced constant opposition from a fragmented Congress and accusations of “moral incapacity”. Martin Vizcarra, 2018-2020 Lawmakers removed Vizcarra after media reports alleged he had received 2.3 million soles in bribes from two companies that won a public works tender while he was a regional governor years earlier. Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, 2016-2018 Prosecutors investigated Kuczynski for favouring contracts with Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht while he was a minister under former President Alejandro Toledo.

Congress Allegations President Peru Castillo Toledo Odebrecht Kuczynski Vizcarra Pedro Castillo  allegations  look  impeachment  corruption  castillo  political  odebrecht  vizcarra  president  voted  denied  peru  chaos  congress

History of this topic

Peru’s President Boluarte avoids impeachment effort over Rolex watch probe
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Peru’s President Boluarte avoids impeachment effort over Rolex watch probe

Al Jazeera  

Boluarte replaced impeached President Pedro Castillo in a country where ‘moral incapacity’ ousters have become common. Peruvian President Dina Boluarte has avoided the latest attempt to impeach her on corruption charges related to a luxury Rolex and jewelry collection that experts estimate is valued at nearly half a million dollars. Congress had already rejected two prior motions to dismiss Boluarte, …

Prosecutors in Peru seek 34-year sentence for ex-President Castillo
11 months, 1 week ago

Prosecutors in Peru seek 34-year sentence for ex-President Castillo

Al Jazeera  

Former President Pedro Castillo is accused of ‘carrying out a coup’ after he attempted to dissolve Congress in 2022. Peru’s prosecutor’s office has formally requested 34 years in prison for former President Pedro Castillo, who was dramatically removed from office and arrested after his attempt to dissolve Congress in late 2022. Castillo, a former teacher from rural Peru, elected in …

Peru’s ex-president returned home to face corruption charges
1 year, 8 months ago

Peru’s ex-president returned home to face corruption charges

Associated Press  

LIMA, Peru — Former President Alejandro Toledo arrived in Lima Sunday after being extradited from the United States to face charges he allegedly received millions of dollars in bribes in a giant corruption scandal that has ensnared four of Peru’s ex-presidents. Police and officials from Peru’s prosecutor’s office received Toledo, 77, at Lima’s airport early Sunday. Peru’s former president will …

Peru prosecutors probe president, ex-president for alleged money laundering
1 year, 8 months ago

Peru prosecutors probe president, ex-president for alleged money laundering

Firstpost  

The probe into the alleged crimes by Boluarte and Castillo is part of an ongoing investigation into alleged campaign finance crimes committed during Peru’s 2021 presidential race Lima: Peruvian prosecutors are investigating President Dina Boluarte and former president Pedro Castillo for allegedly laundering money as part of a criminal organization, the attorney general’s office said on Twitter on Tuesday. The …

Peru withdraws ambassador from Mexico amid dispute
1 year, 9 months ago

Peru withdraws ambassador from Mexico amid dispute

Associated Press  

LIMA, Peru — Peruvian President Dina Boluarte announced on Friday the withdrawal of her country’s ambassador to Mexico in response to criticism from Mexican President Andrés Manuel Lopez Obrador, whom she reproached for hurting ties in order to “privilege ideological affinities.” In his regular morning press conference, Mexico’s president said he had seen polls “where the spurious president has 15% …

Peru Congress rejects new bid to advance elections amid protests
1 year, 10 months ago

Peru Congress rejects new bid to advance elections amid protests

Al Jazeera  

The motion called to bring forward elections and to hold a referendum on forming a constitutional convention. The Peruvian Congress has voted down another proposal to bring forward elections to 2023, a day after a similar bid was turned down amid nationwide protests that are shaking the country’s economy. In addition to moving elections up from April 2024 to July …

Peru’s legislature shoots down proposal to fast-track elections
1 year, 10 months ago

Peru’s legislature shoots down proposal to fast-track elections

Al Jazeera  

Peruvian Congress fails to approve measure that would have moved elections to December 2023 amid widespread protests. Peru’s Congress has rejected a proposal to move elections forward to December 2023, despite nearly two months of protests that have left dozens dead following the removal of former President Pedro Castillo. Congress had previously supported a proposal to move the scheduled 2026 …

Peru: President Dina Boluarte urges Congress to hold early elections
1 year, 10 months ago

Peru: President Dina Boluarte urges Congress to hold early elections

Firstpost  

Lima, Peru: Peruvian President Dina Boluarte made a renewed appeal Sunday for Congress to hold early elections as a way to end weeks of deadly protests, warning that otherwise, she will seek constitutional reform to make a vote happen. Last month lawmakers moved up elections due in 2026 to April 2024, but as protests show no sign of abating, Boluarte …

Peru Congress rejects president’s early elections request
1 year, 10 months ago

Peru Congress rejects president’s early elections request

Al Jazeera  

Peru has been embroiled in a political crisis with near-daily protests since December 7. Peru’s Congress has rejected a request by embattled President Dina Boluarte to bring forward elections to December 2023, as protests that have killed dozens rage on against her leadership. “With this vote, the constitutional reform proposal for the advancement of elections is rejected,” Congress President Jose …

Legislators submit motion to impeach Peru President Dina Boluarte
1 year, 10 months ago

Legislators submit motion to impeach Peru President Dina Boluarte

Al Jazeera  

The move underlines the severe polarisation in a country that has had six presidents in six years. A group of left-wing politicians in Peru have submitted a motion of impeachment against President Dina Boluarte over her handling of nearly two months of protests following the removal of her predecessor Pedro Castillo. The legislators, allies of Castillo, are filing the motion …

Peru protesters clash with police after president calls for truce
1 year, 10 months ago

Peru protesters clash with police after president calls for truce

Al Jazeera  

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Peru’s capital and were met with volleys of tear gas and pellets amid clashes with security forces just hours after President Dina Boluarte called for a “truce” in almost two months of protests. Before last week, most of the large anti-government protests that followed the removal of President Pedro Castillo took place …

Peru Protests: How the Indigenous-led movement is shaking the country
1 year, 11 months ago

Peru Protests: How the Indigenous-led movement is shaking the country

Firstpost  

President Castillo attempted to shut down a Congress intent on impeaching him over allegations of corruption and treason. Castillo — a leftist, Indigenous former teacher from the country’s south — tried to shut down a Congress intent on impeaching him over corruption claims and accusations of treason. In part by design, the country’s constitution, which was adopted in 1993 but …

Explained | Peru’s intensifying anti-government protests, political crisis, and violence
1 year, 11 months ago

Explained | Peru’s intensifying anti-government protests, political crisis, and violence

The Hindu  

The story so far: Thousands of Peruvians on Thursday, January 12, marched in the capital Lima demanding that the country’s new President Dina Boluarte step down. Protesters, mainly in Peru’s South, have taken to the streets to demand early elections, the resignation of new President Dina Boluarte, changes to the Constitution, and the release of the imprisoned Mr. Castillo. Pedro …

Peru in peril: The Hindu Editorial on the political crisis in the South American country
1 year, 11 months ago

Peru in peril: The Hindu Editorial on the political crisis in the South American country

The Hindu  

With the killing of 17 civilians and one police officer on Monday amid anti-government protests, the month-long political crisis in Peru has crossed a bloody threshold and could trigger more waves of violence. Mr. Castillo, a former school teacher and a trade unionist, was elected President in 2021 on promises such as ensuring political stability, fighting corruption and addressing chronic …

Pedro Castillo bites the dust as political establishment in Peru engineers exit
1 year, 11 months ago

Pedro Castillo bites the dust as political establishment in Peru engineers exit

The Hindu  

Published : Jan 12, 2023 10:20 IST Yet another President in Peru has been unceremoniously removed from office before he could complete his term, the fourth to be removed in the past two years. But after widespread protests broke out in the country calling for Castillo’s release and immediate elections, the new government announced that elections would be held before …

Inquiry launched into Peru president, curfew in restive region
1 year, 11 months ago

Inquiry launched into Peru president, curfew in restive region

Al Jazeera  

Prosecutor’s office announces investigation after at least 17 people were killed in anti-government protests in southern Peru. The office of Peru’s top prosecutor has launched an inquiry into new President Dina Boluarte and members of her cabinet over violent clashes in which at least 40 people have been killed and hundreds injured since early December. The attorney general’s office said …

Peruvian court upholds 18-month pre-trial detention for Castillo
1 year, 11 months ago

Peruvian court upholds 18-month pre-trial detention for Castillo

Al Jazeera  

Ex-president Pedro Castillo has denounced his arrest as ‘political revenge’, while deadly protests continue to rock Peru. Peru’s highest court has upheld a decision to hold former President Pedro Castillo in pre-trial detention for 18 months as he is investigated on charges of rebellion. Latin America has a long history of removing democratically-elected leftist politicians from power, often through violent …

Peru’s new president reshuffles cabinet as Mexico ties tested
2 years ago

Peru’s new president reshuffles cabinet as Mexico ties tested

Al Jazeera  

Dina Boluarte changes some of her ministers as tensions rise with Mexico over its support for her predecessor Pedro Castillo. Peru’s new president, Dina Boluarte, has announced a partial cabinet reshuffle, hours after legislators tentatively endorsed a plan to move elections forward in a bid to quell protests that began after the impeachment of Boluarte’s predecessor. The changes were made …

Peru’s accidental president fails to quell violent protests
2 years ago

Peru’s accidental president fails to quell violent protests

Associated Press  

LIMA, Peru — It might be the world’s shortest political honeymoon. Almost since the moment last week when Dina Boluarte took over from the ousted leader Pedro Castillo to become Peru’s first female president, she has appealed for calm and a chance to govern, insisting that the caretaker job came to her out of circumstance, not personal ambition. Do you …

Peru president urges Congress to approve early polls amid unrest
2 years ago

Peru president urges Congress to approve early polls amid unrest

Al Jazeera  

Dina Boluarte asks Congress to sign off on early elections as she refuses to resign despite the worsening protests. Peru’s embattled President Dina Boluarte has exhorted the country’s Congress to bring forward general elections, as nationwide anti-government protests continue following the removal of President Pedro Castillo last week. “Don’t be blind,” said Boluarte, reminding legislators to reconsider their position, citing …

Peru judge orders 18-month detention for ousted president
2 years ago

Peru judge orders 18-month detention for ousted president

The Hindu  

A Peruvian judge on Thursday ordered ousted President Pedro Castillo to remain in custody for 18 months as nationwide protests set off by the political crisis showed no signs of abating and the death toll rose to at least 14. Judge Juan Carlos Checkley Soria's ruling came after Congress stripped Castillo of the privilege that keeps Peru's presidents from facing …

Peru court extends ex-President Castillo’s jail time by 18 months
2 years ago

Peru court extends ex-President Castillo’s jail time by 18 months

Al Jazeera  

Pedro Castillo’s arrest on charges of ‘rebellion’ and ‘conspiracy’ has fuelled a political crisis. Peru’s Supreme Court has granted a request to extend former President Pedro Castillo’s imprisonment for 18 months, as the authorities make their case against him on accusations of “rebellion” and “conspiracy”. In Thursday’s ruling, a judicial panel within the Supreme Court ruled that Castillo, initially jailed …

Timeline: Peru’s political crisis since removal of Pedro Castillo
2 years ago

Timeline: Peru’s political crisis since removal of Pedro Castillo

Al Jazeera  

Protesters are demanding Castillo’s release, dissolution of Congress and early elections in the South American nation. After initially saying she would serve out Castillo’s remaining three-and-a-half years as president, she suggests that calls for early elections among Castillo supporters are “respectable”. The judge says the former president’s effort to dissolve Congress was “not a mere act of speech, but the …

Photos: Judge to rule on Castillo’s detention amid Peru protests
2 years ago

Photos: Judge to rule on Castillo’s detention amid Peru protests

Al Jazeera  

A judge in Peru is scheduled to decide whether ousted President Pedro Castillo will remain in custody while authorities build a rebellion case against him. It is to be handed down a day after the government declared a police state as it struggles to calm nationwide protests stemming from Castillo’s ouster by Congress last week. Protesters are demanding Castillo’s release, …

Peru's ousted President Castillo challenges detention
2 years ago

Peru's ousted President Castillo challenges detention

The Hindu  

Amid violent nationwide protests over Peru’s political crisis, ousted President Pedro Castillo has told Peruvians that he is being “unjustly and arbitrarily detained” and thanked his supporters for their “effort and fight” since he was taken into custody last week. Then, in apparent reference to the violent protests over his ouster, he urged the national police and armed forces to …

Peru's ousted President Castillo challenges detention
2 years ago

Peru's ousted President Castillo challenges detention

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Peru's ousted President Pedro Castillo told Peruvians Tuesday that he …

Timeline | How Peru's new political upheaval has unfolded
2 years ago

Timeline | How Peru's new political upheaval has unfolded

Firstpost  

Protests have erupted in Peru since the country’s legislature ousted leftist President Pedro Castillo last week after he attempted to dissolve Congress and rule by decree. Here’s how the situation has unfolded Paris: Peru has descended into protests since the country’s legislature last week threw out leftist President Pedro Castillo after he tried to dissolve Congress and rule by decree. …

Peru judge denies ex-President Castillo’s bid to end detention
2 years ago

Peru judge denies ex-President Castillo’s bid to end detention

Al Jazeera  

Pedro Castillo says he has been ‘unjustly’ detained as protesters continue to demand his freedom and early elections. A judge in Peru has rejected ousted President Pedro Castillo’s appeal to end his detention as authorities build a case against him on “rebellion” and “conspiracy” accusations, which have sparked protests across the country. Supreme Court Judge Cesar San Martin Castro’s decision …

Cycles of crises: The Hindu Editorial on the executive-legislature clash in Peru
2 years ago

Cycles of crises: The Hindu Editorial on the executive-legislature clash in Peru

The Hindu  

When Pedro Castillo was elected the President of Peru last year, he promised voters a new social contract. Mr. Castillo, a former schoolteacher lacking administrative experience, vowed to fix the chronic economic problems and fight corruption. The crisis came to a tipping point last month when Mr. Castillo threatened to dissolve Congress. While Peruvians avoided a major constitutional crisis by …

Peru's president asks Cabinet to take anti-corruption pledge
2 years ago

Peru's president asks Cabinet to take anti-corruption pledge

The Hindu  

Peru's newest president, Dina Boluarte, swore in her Cabinet on Saturday just three days after becoming the country's first female head of state and asked each minister to pledge not to be corrupt while in office. The 17 ministers picked by Ms. Boluarte, who on Wednesday was elevated from vice president to replace the ousted Pedro Castillo as the country's …

Photos: Unrest in Peru after the ouster of former President Pedro Castillo
2 years ago

Photos: Unrest in Peru after the ouster of former President Pedro Castillo

Hindustan Times  

Photos: Unrest in Peru after the ouster of former President Pedro Castillo Protests erupted in Peru this week in support of ousted president Pedro Castillo, after the leftist leader was placed in provisional detention. Castillo's impeachment is the latest in a long line of political crises in the Latin nation, which is now seeing its sixth president in six years.. …

From president to prisoner: The rapid descent of Peru's Pedro Castillo
2 years ago

From president to prisoner: The rapid descent of Peru's Pedro Castillo

NPR  

From president to prisoner: The rapid descent of Peru's Pedro Castillo Enlarge this image toggle caption Fernando Vergara/AP Fernando Vergara/AP LIMA, Peru — Perhaps the most telling detail of Pedro Castillo's botched coup attempt this week was the fact that the high-stakes gamble may have been completely unnecessary. Enlarge this image toggle caption Carlos Garcia Granthon/Fotoholica Press/LightRocket/Getty Images Carlos Garcia …

Peru’s president ousted by Congress in political crisis
2 years ago

Peru’s president ousted by Congress in political crisis

Associated Press  

LIMA, Peru — The president of Peru was ousted by Congress and arrested on a charge of rebellion Wednesday after he sought to dissolve the legislative body and take unilateral control of the government, triggering a grave constitutional crisis. Lisa Kenna called on Castillo via Twitter to reverse his decree to dissolve Congress, saying the U.S. government rejected any “extra-constitutional” …

Within hours, Peru’s president went from dissolving Congress to being ousted and arrested
2 years ago

Within hours, Peru’s president went from dissolving Congress to being ousted and arrested

LA Times  

Ousted Peruvian President Pedro Castillo, who has been arrested on suspicion of rebellion, is in police custody in Lima, the capital. In just three tumultuous hours, Peruvian President Pedro Castillo went from decreeing the dissolution of the nation’s Congress to being replaced by his vice president, but the threats to his government had been building throughout his nearly 17-month tenure. …

Why was Peru President Pedro Castillo impeached?
2 years ago

Why was Peru President Pedro Castillo impeached?

Al Jazeera  

Congress votes to remove Castillo after he sought to rule by decree. Peru’s former President Pedro Castillo has been arrested after he was removed from office by the Congress in an impeachment trial. “Peru’s political constitution enshrines the separation of powers and establishes that Peru is a democratic and sovereign Republic … No authority can put itself above the Constitution …

Peru ex-President Castillo detained as ‘rebellion’ probe proceeds
2 years ago

Peru ex-President Castillo detained as ‘rebellion’ probe proceeds

Al Jazeera  

Judge orders seven days’ detention for Pedro Castillo as Peru grapples with fallout of his abrupt removal from office. A judge in Peru has ordered Pedro Castillo to be detained for seven days as authorities investigate charges of “rebellion and conspiracy” against the former president, who was removed from office and arrested this week. Peru’s opposition-held legislature voted to remove …

Peru gets new President after Pedro Castillo ousted amid accusations of coup attempt
2 years ago

Peru gets new President after Pedro Castillo ousted amid accusations of coup attempt

India Today  

Peru's Congress swore in a new president on Wednesday in a day of sweeping political drama that saw the former leader, Pedro Castillo, ousted in an impeachment trial hours after he attempted a last-ditch bid to stay in power by trying to dissolve Congress. Peru's President Pedro Castillo delivers a statement to the media along with Chile's President Gabriel Boric …

Peru's Congress has removed President Pedro Castillo from office
2 years ago

Peru's Congress has removed President Pedro Castillo from office

The Hindu  

Peru’s Congress removed President Pedro Castillo from office Wednesday, voting to replace him with the vice president, shortly after Castillo decreed the dissolution of the legislature ahead of a scheduled vote to oust him. “Castillo's actions ignore the will of the people and are invalid.” The congressional vote called for Vice President Dina Boluarte to assume the presidency. Lisa Kenna …

Peru’s Congress swears in new president after Castillo removed
2 years ago

Peru’s Congress swears in new president after Castillo removed

Al Jazeera  

Dina Boluarte becomes first female president after a tumultuous day that saw Pedro Castillo arrested and accused of ‘rebellion’ and ‘conspiracy’. Castillo had said the move aimed to “reestablish the rule of law and democracy” in Peru but it was widely condemned by opposition leaders and others, including Boluarte, his vice president, as an attempted “coup”. The United States echoed …

Peru’s Pedro Castillo blasts critics ahead of impeachment hearing
2 years ago

Peru’s Pedro Castillo blasts critics ahead of impeachment hearing

Al Jazeera  

The Peruvian president is facing a third impeachment effort following allegations of corruption and ‘moral incapacity’. Peru’s President Pedro Castillo has accused his opponents of undermining democracy as he faces the third impeachment effort of his embattled presidency. The latest results from a constitutional complaint filed by the prosecutor’s office in October, alleging that Castillo was leading a “criminal organisation” …

‘Must leave’: Thousands march for Peru president’s removal
2 years, 1 month ago

‘Must leave’: Thousands march for Peru president’s removal

Al Jazeera  

Peruvians hit the streets to call for the resignation of President Pedro Castillo over allegations of corruption. Thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets of Peru’s capital to call for the resignation of President Pedro Castillo who is under six investigations for corruption. Castillo must leave, that’s what this march is for – to get him out,” said Nancy …

Peru prosecutors lodge new complaint against President Castillo
2 years, 2 months ago

Peru prosecutors lodge new complaint against President Castillo

Al Jazeera  

The constitutional complaint is most serious legal development yet against embattled President Pedro Castillo. Peruvian prosecutors have presented a constitutional complaint against the country’s embattled President Pedro Castillo hours after detaining five of his allies on corruption allegations. The legal filing on Tuesday was the most aggressive push yet against the president, who took office only a year ago and …

Peru president’s sister-in-law sent to jail amid corruption probe
2 years, 3 months ago

Peru president’s sister-in-law sent to jail amid corruption probe

Al Jazeera  

The sister-in-law of Peruvian President Pedro Castillo has been given 30 months of pre-trial detention on Sunday, the most serious escalation so far of a host of criminal investigations that have targeted the leader’s inner circle. Prosecutors allege she was part of a group that engaged in influence peddling to assign public contracts to allies of Castillo in their home …

Peruvian PM resigns amid investigations into President Castillo
2 years, 4 months ago

Peruvian PM resigns amid investigations into President Castillo

Al Jazeera  

The president’s popularity is declining amid what critics characterise as a chaotic management style and corruption. Peru’s Prime Minister Anibal Torres has resigned, amid a widening criminal investigation focused on the nation’s president, President Pedro Castillo, who has grown increasingly isolated after one year in office. Torres, a lawyer and one of Castillo’s most loyal allies, said in a letter …

One year on, Peru’s president fights for political survival
2 years, 4 months ago

One year on, Peru’s president fights for political survival

Al Jazeera  

One year since his improbable victory, Pedro Castillo is mired in corruption allegations and congressional deadlock. Lima, Peru – A year since his moonshot ascent to Peru’s highest office, socialist President Pedro Castillo is in the throes of political crisis. Rarely seen without his trademark straw hat, Castillo fired up campesino and Indigenous Peruvians with a simple mandate: “No more …

Peru protests show the wide impact of Putin’s war
2 years, 8 months ago

Peru protests show the wide impact of Putin’s war

CNN  

CNN — An ongoing wave of violent protests in Peru shows how the Russian invasion of Ukraine is affecting markets around the world, sparking unrest and deepening political divides. Late Monday, President Pedro Castillo declared a state of emergency and placed the country’s capital under a curfew, but backtracked and withdrew the curfew order on Tuesday afternoon as hundreds of …

Peru’s president avoids impeachment after marathon debate
2 years, 8 months ago

Peru’s president avoids impeachment after marathon debate

Al Jazeera  

Pedro Castillo, was accused of corruption and moral incapacity, but survived vote after eight hour debate. Peru’s President Pedro Castillo avoided impeachment by the country’s opposition-dominated legislature on Monday after a parliamentary debate lasting more than eight hours. The impeachment vote took place against a backdrop of internal government struggles that have defined the left-wing leader’s first months as president. …

Peru Congress votes to debate President Castillo’s impeachment
2 years, 9 months ago

Peru Congress votes to debate President Castillo’s impeachment

Al Jazeera  

Peru’s Congress has approved the start of impeachment proceedings against left-wing President Pedro Castillo over allegations of corruption. The attempt to oust Castillo is promoted mainly by three right-wing parties, including Popular Force, led by former presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori, who lost last year’s elections to Castillo. Castillo’s supporters say it will be difficult for the opposition to secure the …

First Peruvian ex-president on trial for Odebrecht scandal
2 years, 10 months ago

First Peruvian ex-president on trial for Odebrecht scandal

Associated Press  

LIMA, Peru — A Peruvian judge started a trial Monday for corruption charges against former President Ollanta Humala and his wife, both accused of money laundering in a scandal involving Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht that has stained the highest political leaders in this South American country over the last two decades. Humala is the first former leader of Peru standing …

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