Tension is growing in Peru and the governance crisis is further aggravated after increasing protests in different regions of the country, where protesters express their disagreement with the impeachment and imprisonment of Pedro Castillo, because they consider that he is still the president of the Republic and is currently a “political prisoner”.
The protests, which have been taking place since last Wednesday when Congress decided to remove Castillo from the Presidency due to “moral incapacity”, have provoked strong confrontations against members of the public force, who repress the protesters while they try to reach Congress.
Castillo’s followers demand Castillo’s freedom and reinstated in the Presidency, Dina Boluarte leave the head of State after her appointment as president by Parliament, Congress be dissolved, a National Constituent Assembly be convened to reform the country and general elections.
“The people in the streets because of Congress” is one of the slogans shouted by the protesters. Different peasant, indigenous, social and youth movements also participate in the protests, demanding that the popular will that led Castillo to the Presidency in democratic elections be respected.
According to local media, there are roadblocks and roads in regions such as Lima, Ica, Arequipa and others. The Panamericana Sur, one of the main roads that crosses the country, has been closed at different points by the protesters.
For this reason, the Superintendency of Land Transportation of People, Cargo and Merchandise (Sutran) has recommended public transport companies to avoid traveling to the country’s capital.
In the midst of the growing chaos, congressman Guido Bellido, who was president of the Council of Ministers during the Castillo government, warned that there would be indications that the president was forced to read the message in which he announced the closure of Parliament and that produced his removal of the Presidency.
For her part, Boluarte, who carried out an activity with the Armed Forces this Friday after being sworn in as president and stating that she would hold office until 2026, said that “if society and the situation warrant it,” she would advance the elections.
