LIMA, Peru — On Tuesday, former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo faced trial on serious charges of rebellion, abuse of authority, and disturbing public peace, amidst an atmosphere of division in Peru. These accusations arise from an unsuccessful attempt by Castillo to declare a state of emergency and dissolve the nation’s Congress in December 2022, prior to an anticipated impeachment vote.
Castillo’s initiative lacked military support and led to his prompt ouster by Congress. He was subsequently detained, as prosecutors accused him of orchestrating a coup attempt. This deposition, removing Castillo who was Peru’s first indigenous president, ignited significant unrest in the southern regions of the country, resulting in at least 49 casualties in the protests following his removal.
Following Castillo’s ousting, Vice President Dina Boluarte assumed the presidency, steering the country under conservative leadership and aligning with Peru’s traditional political figures. The trial is being held at a police base where Castillo has remained since the failed attempt to dissolve Congress and initiate new elections.
Prosecutors have outlined their intent to pursue a 34-year imprisonment for Castillo, a former union leader and rural educator who surprisingly won the presidential election in 2021 against Peru’s political establishment. Prior to the December 7, 2022 incident, Castillo had successfully fended off two impeachment challenges.
Throughout, Castillo and his supporters have contended that conservative legislative factions obstructed his policies, preventing his government from boosting government expenditure and addressing educational and infrastructural deficiencies in the marginalized rural areas. Conversely, his critics accused him of corrupt practices and eroding democratic processes through actions like his attempt to dissolve Congress.
Drawing parallels with history, opponents compare his move to the previous Congress closure executed by then-President Alberto Fujimori in the 1990s, which ushered in years of authoritarian rule. During a pre-trial conference, Castillo denied the rebellion charges, maintaining that the decree he read on national television was not enacted.
“I merely recited a document that bore no results,” Castillo remarked in May. “Since when does delivering a speech equate to rebellion? How could mere words equate to using force?”
Moreover, Castillo is embroiled in a separate corruption inquiry, specifically accused of manipulating military promotions and bypassing standard procurement processes to award a bridge contract improperly.
