Peru: from Fujimori’s “autocoup” in 1992 to that of Pedro Castillo in 2022

Like Alberto Fujimori on April 5, 1992, the president of Peru, Pedro Castillo, announced the close of Congress, with the argument that, without his majority, he could not govern. While true in both circumstances, in both cases there was no legal instrument that allowed them to take such a step.

Peru’s auto coup of 1992, also called “Fujimorazo”, congress dissolvedthe Judiciary, the National Council of the Judiciary, the Court of Constitutional Guarantees, the Public Prosecutor and the Comptroller General of the Republic took part.

Also, there was persecution of members of the opposition and kidnapping of people. According to polls at the time, 82% of the population supported this measure due to the discrediting of Parliament.

According to Fujimori, Congress has been unable to reach an agreement on issues related to the fight against Sendero Luminoso, with many of the key sessions failing to reach a sufficient quorum to pass the laws. Fujimori considered Parliament, therefore, as a “blockbuster Congress”.

With a noticeable tremor in his hands, Castillo announced that he would also “call elections for a new Congress with constituent powers as soon as possible.” prepare a new constitution within a period not exceeding 9 months“.

The same plan of Fujimori in 192, which materialized in 1993 with the plebiscite that consecrated the current Constitution, with a unicameral congress, one of the great obstacles that governability has in the country.

Today, even Congress has the same level of disapproval as it did 30 years ago. But Castillo does not enjoy the popular support that Fujimori had in 1992 and, even less, does not appear to have the support of the military to support a measure of this nature.

Within hours of Congress dealing with its third impeachment request, Castillo — beset by mounting corruption allegations not only against himself but against his entourage — made a move that could cost him dearly. Not only can Congress ignore the presidential decision, but, now it can, it can have arguments to “empty” it. for violating the Constitution.

Although left-wing MPs were unwilling to support his sacking for “permanent moral incapacity”it is not clear now that they can continue to support a president who has stripped one of the powers of the state by dissolving Congress and decreeing a state of emergency, as well as announcing that he will rule by decree.

The Peruvian ministers of the economy, foreign affairs and labor have also announced their resignations. Through their respective Twitter accounts, the holders of these portfolios, respectively Kurt Burneo, César Landa and Alejandro Salas, announced their decision to leave the Executive, citing their “adherence to democratic and constitutional values”.

A blow that will be difficult to sustain and justifynot only in Peru, but in the region.

For months, the vice president, Dina Boluarte, has distanced herself from the president and could be, by decision of Congress, the successor if they decide to ignore the actions of the head of state.