Peru’s new president, Dina Boluarte, presented an independent profile to her government this Saturday (10), as demonstrations continue in the streets demanding new elections following the impeachment of President Pedro Castillo.
Dina Boluarte, who was vice-president until Castillo’s dismissal, appointed Pedro Angulo, a lawyer and former lawyer specializing in the fight against corruption, to head his cabinet of 19 ministers.
Ambassador Ana Cecilia Gervasi will become the new Foreign Minister. As for the Economics and Finance portfolio, Dina appointed Alex Contreras. In defense, Luis Otárola was appointed, who held the portfolio during President Ollanta Humala (2011-2016).
Eight of the 19 ministers are women, but those responsible for Labour, Transport and Communications have not yet been named. The inclusion of ministers with a technical rather than political profile, as requested by Congress, could make room for the ceasefire that Dina demands.
“Consolidation of democracy, rule of law, balance of power and governance in the country will be the foundations of my government,” said Boluarte in his first speech as president.
Dina Boluarte was sworn in as Peru’s first female president, hours after Castillo was ousted in a congressional vote, facing a string of corruption investigations.
Castillo sought to avoid this third vote against him since taking office 18 months ago, announcing the dissolution of parliament and announcing that he would rule by decree. But his orders were ignored by Congress and the military.
“The Constitution has been violated,” citing the dismissal of Castillo, who was detained by his own escorts on his way to the Mexican embassy last Thursday to apply for political asylum and held in preventive detention for seven days, Congress president José Williams said. . The Public Ministry accuses him of rioting and faces 10 to 20 years in prison if found guilty.
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador expressed his support, much to Lima’s anger, by saying that Castillo was the victim of a white coup and offering him asylum.
This Saturday, Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said that offering asylum is part of Mexico’s diplomatic tradition.
violent protests
Protests in Peru’s interior turned violent, with 20 people injured in clashes between thousands of protesters and police in the southern town of Andahuaylas in Boluarte’s hometown of Apurímac.
The Office of the Ombudsman said on Twitter, “16 people and 4 police officers have been injured so far in the clash between the Public and the Police.”
It was stated that the health status of the injured who were taken to the hospital was not specified.
Protesters attacked the city’s prosecutor’s office with stones, while police repelled the attack with tear gas.
The two police officers were held hostage for hours before being released.
“We ask for calm in the face of the events unfolding in Andahuaylas. We wish respect and calm to the people exercising their right to protest. We reject any act of violence that undermines human integrity. Risk,” the police tweeted hours ago. National.
In Arequipa, about 1,000 km south of Lima, groups of miners were marching towards the Peruvian capital.
Thousands of demonstrators trying to reach the Convention center in Lima on Thursday and Friday were blocked by law enforcement. Police used tear gas to end the mobilization of some detainees.
Recent events have caused the police to announce that their agents are suspending their vacation and to leave until further notice. Dozens of Castillo supporters stood vigil demanding his release at the police base, where the former president was held by court order.
Dina Boluarte held three days of negotiations with the leaders of the right-wing parties in Congress due to the left’s refusal to participate in the negotiations. Castillo’s decision to run the country until the end of his term on July 28, 2026 is at the root of his new problems.
The new election demand is linked to an overwhelming Congressional rejection: 86% of Peruvians disapprove of Parliament, according to polls in November.
Boluarte did not rule out the call for early elections to find a peaceful solution to the political crisis and asked the public for calm.
source: Noticias
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.