A dramatic day in Peru saw Dina Boluarte become the first-ever female president in the nation’s history as her predecessor Castillo was arrested after impeachment. The former Peru president was removed from the office with a charge of rebellion.
A Tumultuous Day
Pedro Castillo announced his plans earlier on Wednesday, before Peru lawmakers’ impeachment vote, about dissolving Congress and installing an emergency government. Ombudsman called it a coup attempt and sought parliamentary elections to frame a new constitution.
The situation prompted a series of resignations along with agitations and condemnation from officials, cabinet members, and regional neighbors, and finally, the then-Peru president was impeached in Congress.
Armed forces of the country also rejected Castillo’s efforts to sideline the lawmakers as they alleged him of trying to infringe on the constitution.
Later, Castillo was reported to be arrested for the charge of rebellion.
Boluarte became the New Peru President
Dina Boluarte was the vice president of Peru when Castillo was the president.
One hundred and one members, the majority of the legislative body comprising 130 members, voted to impeach Castillo. Hours after the impeachment, Boluarte became the first female president in the country’s two-hundred years long history and the sixth in under five years.
Boluarte firmly criticized Castillo’s dissolution intentions and blamed him for further aggravating the country’s crisis.
What did the US have to Say?
Lisa Kenna, US Ambassador in Peru, took to her Twitter to urge the leaders to reverse the step and allow the country’s democracy to remain intact. Ned Price, the state department spokesperson, made the US standpoint on this issue pretty clear that no contradiction to Peru’s constitution would be tolerated.
Few Words on Pedro Castillo
Pedro Castillo, the former Peru president, was previously a union leader and teacher. He managed to be elected, with a narrow margin, as president in July 2021.
