Dina Boluarte, Peru’s newest President, has given in to protesters’ demands, announcing in a nationally televised address that she will send Congress a proposal to move up elections.
According to President Boluarte during her address on Monday December 12, she will soon propose the scheduling of general elections for April 2024.
President Boluarte’s decision comes after thousands of protesters took to the streets of Peru on Sunday December 11, to demand that she (President Boluarte) steps down and schedule elections to replace her and Congress. The demonstrations turned deadly, with at least two reported deaths in a remote community in the Andes, according to officials.
Also, many of those protesting in the ongoing political crisis are demanding the release from custody, former President Pedro Castillo, who was expelled from office on Wednesday December 7, by lawmakers after he sought to dissolve Congress ahead of an impeachment vote. Hundreds of Peruvians also protested in Lima, the capital, where in the riot, the police used tear gas to push protesters back.
“My duty as President of the republic in the current difficult time is to interpret, read and collect the aspirations, interests and concerns, if not of all, of the vast majority of Peruvians.
“So, interpreting in the broadest way the will of the citizens, I have decided to assume the initiative to reach an agreement with the congress of the republic to advance the general elections.”
President Dina
President Boluarte, in her address to the nation, declared a state of emergency in areas outside Lima where protests have been particularly violent.
The first female President of Peru called for a time of national unity to heal from the latest disturbance. However, many of those demonstrating in favor of Pedro Castillo have called her a “traitor.”
“The life of no Peruvian deserves to be sacrificed for political interests,” President Boluarte tweeted hours before her address to the nation. She expressed her condolences for the death of a citizen in Andahuaylas. President Dina further reiterated her call for dialogue and to put an end to violence.
Pedro Castillo’s Arrest
President Dina Boluarte was quickly sworn in on December 7, to replace Castillo, few hours after he stunned the country by ordering the dissolution of Congress, which in turn dismissed him for ‘permanent moral incapacity’. Castillo was arrested on charges on rebellion.
Dina Boluarte, the country’s former vice President, was sworn into the top job at Congress to become Peru’s sixth President in under five years. The ceremony took place hours after a majority of 101 members in the 130-person legislative body voted to impeach former leader Pedro Castillo.
President Castillo announced plans to dissolve Congress and install an emergency government, ahead of a looming impeachment vote by lawmakers.
Castillo’s failed move against the opposition-led Congress came hours before lawmakers were set to start a third impeachment attempt against him.
Peruvian armed forces rejected Castillo’s attempt to sideline lawmakers, calling it an “infringement of the constitution.”
Dina Boluarte herself criticized Castillo’s dissolution plan, describing it on Twitter as “a coup that aggravates the political and institutional crisis that Peruvian society will have to overcome with strict adherence to the law.”
Scattered protests around the country have continued for a number of days. Demonstrators have also setup roadblocks, leaving people stranded for hours.
Peru has had six Presidents in the last six years, including three in a single week in 2020 when Congress flexed its impeachment powers.
The power struggle in the country has continued as the Andes region and its thousands of small farms struggle to survive the worst drought in a half-century. The country of more than 33 million people is also experiencing a fifth wave of COVID-19 infections having recorded about 4.3 million infections and 217,000 deaths since the pandemic began.
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