Peru rises up after coup against elected President Pedro Castillo
Peru's democratically elected left-wing President Pedro Castillo was overthrown and arrested in a coup on December 7 by the right-wing-controlled congress, which has an approval rating of between 7% and 11%.
Castillo is a humble teacher and union organizer from a rural, indigenous-descent community in a country whose political system has long been dominated by racist elites.
As soon as Castillo entered office at the end of July 2021, far-right elements in the congress, loyal to the US-backed former dictator Alberto Fujimori, constantly tried to overthrow him and destabilize his government.
Over The Last 24 Hours, Strong Protests Have Been Registered In Andahuaylas, Lima, And In The Municipality Of Chala.
Some 2,000 People Have Blocked The Pan-American Highway.
In the early hours of Monday, Peru’s president Dina Boluarte decreed a state of emergency in “the areas of high social conflict” where thousands of citizens have taken to the streets to demand her resignation and the advancement of general elections.
“I have ordered that control of the internal order be recovered peacefully, without affecting the fundamental rights of the citizenry,” she said after a brutal police repression left two citizens dead in the city of Andahuaylas.
Boluarte assumed the presidency on Dec. 7, replacing Pedro Castillo, who was removed by the Peruvian lawmakers after he ordered the dissolution of Congress, announced the formation of an “Emergency Government,” and called a constituent assembly.
Initially, Boluarte said she would finish her term in July 2026. After the protests, however, she announced that she will send to Congress a bill to advance general elections to April 2024.
She explained that the approval of the bill implies constitutional reforms that should be approved for the most expeditious procedure.
“From now until the elections, my administration will promote a parliamentary agreement to reform the political system, which will allow for a more efficient, transparent and participatory democratic system of government,” Boluarte said, adding that this reform is expected to eliminate all corruption practices and legitimize political parties.
Since the former President Castillo was removed from office, citizen discontent has been increasing in quantity and intensity.
Over the last 24 hours, strong protests have also been registered in Lima and in the municipality of Chala, where some 2,000 people have blocked the Pan-American highway.
Take action: You can send a solidarity message with the people of Peru to the presidents of Peru and the US here
First killing by the coup regime in Peru. This is in Apurimac, in the Andes. Outrageous. Sound the alarm. Defend the people of Peru against a racist ruling class that is backed fully by Washington. (Share widely). pic.twitter.com/KR6oLL2Rzn
— Vijay Prashad (@vijayprashad) December 11, 2022
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