Foreign Minister of Peru: “Authoritarian groups generate violence in protests”

Ana Cecilia Gervasi, the chancellor of Dina Boluarte’s Peruvian government was in Buenos Aires to attend the CELAC summit, where she held a busy schedule trying to explain and strengthen the position of his country.

The crisis in Peru continues without finding a way out after Congress refused to bring forward the elections to the end of 2023, as Boluarte had requested. The crackdown on the revolt by demonstrators supporting the putschist and imprisoned former president Pedro Castillo has begun fifty dead. Lima ended the disagreement with Argentina, which had supported Castillo.

-The crisis has negative repercussions abroad due to the high number of victims of repression. Aren’t they seriously wrong with that strategy?

-The government regrets the loss of life. Each of the deaths is being investigated by the prosecution. There is no instruction to violently crack down on demonstrations. The government respects the right to peaceful protest. But it is necessary to specify that authoritarian groups have acted in these demonstrations with the deliberate intention of generating violence for political ends. They are looking for an anti-democratic drift in the country.

– There has been criticism in the CELAC for those procedures…
–President Boluarte received the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and a representative of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The policing act is accompanied by prosecutors verifying acts of violence and the use of force to contain them. Human rights are protected by our constitutional and legal provisions.

-What is the exit?
-The only way out of the crisis is and should be the holding of early general elections, as the government has proposed to Congress.

-President Lula da Silva said that Pedro Castillo’s dismissal happened “by law” because he violated the Constitution. Is there any government management of him with that of Brasilia?

-We appreciated it. His statements demonstrate once again his lifelong commitment to democratic institutions and the rule of law.

-There has been extensive dialogue between your president, US Foreign Minister Antony Blinken, what is the position of the United States?

-Secretary Blinken reaffirmed US support for the democratic process in Peru and the presidential succession. We also met with Special Assistant for Latin America Juan Gonzáles and Presidential Advisor Chris Dodd. Both reaffirmed their appreciation of the Peruvian government.

-Mexico, Bolivia, Argentina and Colombia have ignored Castillo’s coup attempt and instead claim that the former president has been overthrown. What does your stationery say?

– We have currently called in consultation with our ambassadors in the countries you mentioned. Our ambassador in Argentina has already returned to his duties. This Monday, January 23, we reject the statements of the presidents of Colombia and Bolivia who insist on ruling on internal political issues in Peru. We try to express our unease and encourage reflection on these governments.

-What happens to former Bolivian president Evo Morales? There are analysts who point out that he would seek an alliance with the original Peruvian peoples on the border with their country and would create a sort of common indigenous territory. Do you agree with these analyses?

-The entry into the country of Mr. Evo Morales and eight other Bolivian citizens were ordered after verifying that they entered the country to carry out political proselytizing activities, which is not compatible with the migration status with which they entered the country.

– What do you think of what analysts say?
-In Puno and the rest of the south of the country, they share the patriotism and sense of belonging that distinguish all Peruvians. Our brothers in Puno would reject any proposal that harms the sovereignty, independence and dignity of the country.

-Is there a possibility to sever relations with Mexico and Colombia?

-We sincerely hope that the governments of Mexico and Colombia will reflect and prioritize the interests that unite us and the affection that our peoples dispense. Our relationships are bicentenary and generate benefits for the development of peoples. Peruvian diplomacy acts gradually but gradualness should not be confused with weakness.