Peruvian President Pedro Castillo arrested

In Peru, President Pedro Castillo, in his address to the nation, said that Congress has been dissolved, the emergency government will rule the country starting today, and a new constitution will be prepared within 9 months by holding elections for the new Congress.

Noting that Congress targeted his government, Castillo said: “Congress has destroyed the rule of law and democracy. It has upset the balance of power with the approval of the Constitutional Court to establish a ‘dictatorship of Congress’”. he said he.

Castillo noted:

* In response to the citizens’ demand, we decided to form a state of emergency government, which includes the following measures to establish the rule of law and democracy; Temporary dissolution of Congress and establishment of an emergency government.

* Hold elections, as soon as possible, for a new Congress with constituent powers to draft a new constitution for a period not exceeding 9 months. Until a new Congress is established, the government will be maintained by executive order.

* As of today, a national curfew will apply between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. The judiciary, the prosecutor’s office, the Constitutional Court and the National Board of Justice will be reorganized.

Castillo, who was presented with three no-confidence motions in 17 months, said he was not corrupt and that Congress was working to overthrow his government.

CONGRESS MEMBER DESCRIBES THE TERMINATION DECISION AS A “COUP”

Following President Castillo’s decision to dissolve Congress, congressmen from various political blocs described this measure as a “coup d’état.”

Ruth Luque, a left-wing congresswoman who defended Castillo’s permanence in office in the motions of no confidence presented to Congress, said in a statement on her Twitter account: “Today there was a coup. My call has always been to respect existing constitutional frameworks. The government of Pedro Castillo is no longer a democratic government”. she used her statements.

Right-wing congressman José Cueto said: “It is a coup by Castillo. No one has to submit to a usurping government. The army will support the constitution, not the dictator. (Castillo) He will be fired and will face the fate that every criminal must live; life imprisonment.” he made statements.

Martha Moyano, congresswoman, called on the citizens to remain calm and on the armed and security forces to defend democracy.

Héctor Ventura said: “We are going to close ranks, it is up to us to be on the right side of history today. We will not let this attempted coup by Pedro Castillo succeed.” he used the phrase.

Some members also noted that a session of Congress would be held to remove Castillo from office.

DECISION OF CASTLE ACCOMPANIED WITH THE REGISTRATION

Peruvian Foreign Minister César Landa wrote on Twitter: “In strict adherence to my democratic and constitutional beliefs and values, I have decided to irrevocably resign my position as Secretary of State in light of President Castillo’s decision to close Congress in violation of the Constitution. . .” made the statement.

Describing Castillo’s decision as a coup and strongly condemning it, Landa stated that he was not involved in this decision and called on the international community to support democracy in Peru.

In his post on his social media account, Economy and Finance Minister Kurt Burneo said: “I present my irrevocable resignation from my position as Economy and Finance Minister, in accordance with my democratic principles, as the rule of law”. he made the statement of it.

Félix Chero Medina, Minister of Justice and Human Rights, tweeted: “Respecting democratic institutions and in view of the announcement of the closure of Congress and the establishment of a national emergency government, I irrevocably resign from my position as Minister of Justice and Human Rights. “He made the statement.

The Minister of Labor, Alejandro Salas, announced on his Twitter account that he is resigning from his post because he “respects democracy in accordance with its principles.”

The Minister of Education, Rosendo Serna Román, wrote in his resignation: “With unlimited respect for my beliefs and democratic values, I have decided to irrevocably resign from the position of Minister of Education, in light of President Castillo’s decision to unconstitutionally dissolve Congress.” he announced he.

Richard Tineo Quispe, Minister of Communications and Transport, said: “Respecting democracy and in accordance with my principles, and before the announcement of the closure of Congress and the installation of a national emergency government, I irrevocably resign from my position as Minister of Transport and Communications”. he said he.

Together with the ministers, Castillo’s lawyer, Benji Espinoza, tweeted: “Because there is a breach of the constitutional order, I have to irrevocably abandon the defense of citizen Pedro Castillo.” he made the statement.

EXPLANATION BY THE PRESIDENT OF LOS MORALES

The president of the Constitutional Court, Francisco Morales, said at a press conference: “Today there was a coup d’état in the purest style of the 20th century, but a coup d’état doomed to fail, because Peru wants to live in a democracy. There is no legal basis for this coup.” he said.

Morales said that according to the Constitution, Vice President Dina Boluarte, who did not support Castillo’s decision, must assume the presidency.

THE ARMY AND THE POLICE WILL RESPECT THE CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER

Following Castillo’s decision to dissolve Congress and form a national emergency government, the Joint Command of the Armed Forces and the Peruvian National Police said in a statement that the institutions respect the constitutional order and will not take any action otherwise.

“Any act contrary to the established constitutional order constitutes a violation of the constitution and leads to unconstitutional non-compliance by the armed forces and the police,” the statement said. expressions were used.

By emphasizing that the Armed Forces and the police are united, the statement called on people to remain calm.

CONGRESS REMOVES CASTILLO

Peruvian President Pedro Castillo has been impeached by Congress, accusing him of overthrowing the government, on charges of “permanent moral incompetence.”

The decision to remove Castillo from his position was approved in plenary session with 101 votes in favor, 6 against, and 10 abstentions.

The reason for the dismissal of Castillo in Congress was “trying to usurp public functions, hinder the functioning of the powers of the State and violate the order established by the political constitution.”

DETENTION

Castillo was detained by the police after his decision to dissolve Congress and form a national emergency government.

According to news from the country’s press, it was reported that Castillo was arrested after leaving the Presidential Palace after his speech to the nation.

It was reported that the Peruvian prosecutor, Patricia Benavides, and prosecutor Marita Barreto, coordinator of the Special Team of Prosecutors against Corruption in the Authority (EEFCOP), went to Castillo’s place.

On the other hand, State Attorney Daniel Soria filed a criminal complaint against Castillo because his decisions were unconstitutional.

Five criminal investigations are open against Castillo, two of which are “for his membership in a criminal organization.”

On October 12, the Attorney General’s Office accused Castillo of corruption, for allegedly leading a criminal organization and committing public crimes.

Castillo, who did not accept the accusations against him in his statements at various times, said many times that Congress wanted to carry out a coup against him.

THE NEW PRESIDENT HAS TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY

Following these events, former Vice President Dina Boluarte took office as the country’s new president.

Boluarte, the first female president in the country’s history, used the phrase “I swear in the name of God, the country and all Peruvians that I will faithfully fulfill my presidency and defend the Peruvian constitution until July 26, 2026.” (AA)