After protests against the dismissal of Peru’s President Pedro Castillo, his successor Dina Boluarte is seeking early elections.
The presidential and parliamentary elections are now scheduled to take place in April 2024, and not in 2026. They will present a corresponding bill to Congress, Boluarte said in a speech to the nation on Monday night.
The security situation in the Andean country escalated: Interior Minister César Cervantes declared a state of emergency for the Apurímac, Arequipa and Ica regions. There had been deaths and injuries during protests and clashes with security forces. Among other things, the demonstrators are demanding Boluarte’s resignation, early new elections and the release of former President Pedro Castillo, who is in custody.
The left-wing politician Castillo was only replaced by the previous vice president on Wednesday. He had wanted to forestall a vote of no confidence against himself by dissolving Congress at short notice – with the idea of setting up an emergency government and governing by decree in the future. Many MPs saw it as an attempted coup.
Protesters paralyze major airport in Peru
In Arequipa, demonstrators broke into the international airport – the airport is one of the largest in the South American country. The demonstrators destroyed security infrastructure and set fire to a sentry box, according to the Peruvian Ministry of Transport. The airport was closed for security reasons.
Peruvian television showed demonstrators walking down the airport runway. Security forces used tear gas. According to media reports, four people were injured.
AA: Keep away from crowds
Demonstrators blocked highways in several parts of the country, as reported by the media. There were demonstrations in some cities, including the capital Lima, and especially in rural areas, mostly Castillo strongholds. In the city of Andahuaylas, rioters even paralyzed the airport at the weekend and partially set it on fire.
The Federal Foreign Office in Berlin updated its travel advice and advised visitors to the country to be more vigilant. .
In her speech, Boluarte lamented the death of two young people during protests in her home region of Apurímac in the Andes. Referring to the demonstrations, some of which turned violent, she said: “This is neither healthy for the country, nor for the economy, nor for the fight against poverty, or for the daily life of all families.”
“Permanent Moral Inadequacy”
The Castillo government had been under pressure since the former village school teacher took office in July 2021. Because of various allegations and differences of opinion, important ministers repeatedly vacated their posts. Castillo recently appointed a new head of cabinet – the fifth person in office in just under a year and a half. The 53-year-old himself had already survived two impeachment proceedings.
Castillo was initially held in custody until Tuesday on charges of rebellion. An extraordinary session of Congress on the ex-president’s legal situation ended in chaos on Sunday. Congress accuses him of “permanent moral unsuitability” for the office, and there are ongoing investigations into allegations of corruption and plagiarism.
But the Peruvian Congress also has a reputation for being corrupt. In her inaugural speech as president, Boluarte called on Peruvians to unite and engage in a broad dialogue “between all political forces”. The 60-year-old lawyer is the first female head of state in the history of the Andean country. As such, the Organization of American States has rallied behind them.
