Peru faces a state of emergency following the arrest of former president Pedro Castillo on charges of dissolving Congress in early December, following international warnings against travel to Peru given the country’s troubled state. After Mexico granted political asylum to the family of the ousted Peruvian president, Peru gave Mexico’s ambassador, Mr. Castillo, just 72 hours to leave the country.
Although the ousted former president is being investigated in Peru for alleged rebellion and conspiracy, Mexico supports him and even considers granting him political asylum. Also, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador supported Mexico and called Mr. Castillo’s ouster and removal undemocratic.
On Tuesday, Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard spoke of government negotiations for the safe removal of Mr. Castillo’s family, who were staying inside the Mexican embassy in the Peruvian capital, Lima. Mr. Castillo’s Peruvian counterpart, Ana Cecilia Gervasi, reported regarding the granted safe passage.
Mr. Castillo was quickly removed from office after attempting to dissolve Congress while in Peruvian custody. Facing an impeachment vote, Mr. Castillo announced his plans to dissolve the opposition-controlled legislature. However, Congress voted overwhelmingly against him and favored the former president’s removal before Mr. Castillo’s bodyguards prevented him from taking refuge in the Mexican embassy in Peru’s capital, Lima.
Violent street protests demanding Mr. Castillo’s release prompted demonstrators to call for early and fresh general elections. Dina Boluarte has been pushing for early elections, which came close on Tuesday when congressional lawmakers voted to replace Mr. Castillo with Vice President Dina Boluarte, 60 years old, as the new president. Just hours later, the ousted Mr. Castillo was removed from office. The decision is expected to push forward the elections to April 2024, two years earlier than initially scheduled for 2026.
