The draft did not receive the necessary support, Congress announced on Friday (local time). Dina Boluarte, successor to the ousted Castillo, had initially aimed for early elections in April 2024 instead of the regular date of 2026. Given the precarious security situation, Boluarte then pointed to December 2023 as a possible new date.
With the dissolution of the congress, left-wing politician Castillo wanted to prevent a vote of no confidence in parliament last week. His cabinet and the opposition accused him of a coup – Castillo was removed from office, arrested and detained for seven days. On Thursday, the court ordered Castillo to be held for another 18 months while law enforcement officers investigate him on charges of rebellion.
In the south and south-east of Peru, where Castillo has a particularly large following in rural areas, as well as in the capital Lima, protests against his dismissal and clashes between demonstrators and police have been going on for about a week. Boluarte’s government has declared a 30-day state of emergency across the country and a five-day curfew in 15 provinces.
At least 17 people were killed in clashes, the Ombudsman’s office said on Friday. Another five people were killed in traffic accidents and other incidents related to roadblocks. Education Minister Patricia Correa and Culture Minister Jair Pérez have resigned over the deaths in the protests.
Air and rail traffic has been shut down in parts of the Andean country, leaving hundreds of tourists stranded, according to Peruvian media reports. Thousands of demonstrators demand the resignation of Castillo’s successor Boluarte, the dissolution of parliament, early new elections and the release of the imprisoned ex-president.
(SDA)