Pedro Castillo, former President of Peru, faces trial for rebellion and abuse of authority after attempting to dissolve Congress amid impeachment votes in December 2022. His removal incited protests leading to at least 49 fatalities. He contends that his actions were not rebellious and is also under investigation for corruption. Prosecutors seek a 34-year prison sentence.
Pedro Castillo, former President of Peru, is currently on trial facing allegations of rebellion, serious abuse of authority, and disrupting public order. This trial follows his unsuccessful attempt to dissolve the Congress in December 2022 as legislators were preparing for an impeachment vote against him. Castillo’s failure to secure military assistance in this endeavor resulted not only in his immediate removal but also in his subsequent arrest following accusations of instigating a coup.
The ousting of Castillo, who holds the distinction of being Peru’s first indigenous president, instigated widespread protests across the southern regions of the country, leading to tragic consequences, including the deaths of at least 49 individuals during the unrest that followed his removal. Following Castillo’s ouster, Vice President Dina Boluarte assumed the presidency and has aligned herself with traditional political parties to form a conservative administration.
Currently, Castillo is being held at a police facility where his trial is taking place, and prosecutors are pursuing a sentence of 34 years imprisonment. His political history includes successfully withstanding two impeachment votes prior to his attempt to dissolve Congress. Castillo and his supporters contend that the conservative factions within Congress obstructed his policy initiatives, hampering efforts to enhance government spending and target rural education and infrastructure.
However, opponents of Castillo have accused him of corruption and of attempting to undermine democracy through his congressional dissolution maneuver. This incident draws historical parallels to former President Alberto Fujimori’s similar actions in the early 1990s, which resulted in a prolonged period of authoritarian governance.
During a pre-trial session, Castillo maintained his innocence regarding the rebellion charges, asserting that his public reading of the dissolution decree constituted no actionable illegal act. “I only read out a document that had no consequences,” he stated in May. Additionally, he is under investigation for corruption allegations concerning the irregular promotion of military officials and disregard for standard procurement procedures in a contract related to a bridge.
The trial of former President Pedro Castillo highlights significant political tensions in Peru, stemming from his controversial attempt to dissolve Congress amid impeachment proceedings. His actions have not only led to his arrest but have also triggered widespread protests and unrest throughout the country. Facing serious charges that could lead to a lengthy prison sentence, Castillo continues to argue that his actions did not constitute rebellion, while also enduring separate corruption investigations that further complicate his case.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
