Nearshore Americas
Castillo Peru President

Crisis Drags on in Peru, as Ousted President Remains Imprisoned

Peru sees little hope of its political crisis ending soon, with the country’s elected President, Pedro Castillo, remaining in prison after being removed from office by Congress.

Violent protests are mounting across the country. Castillo’s supporters are calling for his release and early elections.

At least seven people have died in violent clashes with police since early December, when Castillo tried to dissolve the opposition-dominated Congress, saying he would “restore the rule of law and democracy.”

Castillo, whose family has sought asylum in Mexico, was impeached shortly thereafter, with his own bodyguards arresting him.

Peru has long been caught in a political crisis, having seen six presidents in as many years.

Castillo was elected only in mid-2021. His term was due to end in July 2026, but a hostile Congress kept trying to indict him on various counts.

Two impeachment attempts failed. A third try yielded results in December 2022, when Castillo was removed on a charge of “moral incapacity”.

Faced with the threat of being ousted, Castillo responded by dissolving Congress hours before a scheduled vote on his impeachment.

Unfortunately for him, his own ministers defected, leaving the then President to fight a lonely battle. After Catillo’s impeachment, Congress appointed Vice President Dina Boluarte as Head of State.

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Protesters argue that Boluarte is not an elected President and are demanding that a new election take place immediately.

Analysts don’t see the political gridlock in Peru ending soon, citing a rivalry between elected officials and the continued dominance of opposition parties.

Narayan Ammachchi

News Editor for Nearshore Americas, Narayan Ammachchi is a career journalist with a decade of experience in politics and international business. He works out of his base in the Indian Silicon City of Bangalore.

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