Peru’s ex-President Castillo shifted to prison after impeachment


Donate
BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) – Peru’s former President Pedro Castillo was transferred to a prison on Wednesday night, capping off a dramatic day that saw him impeached for rebellion after he tried to dissolve parliament.
Castillo was taken to the Barbadillo prison in the capital Lima’s Ate district.
Castillo was arrested hours earlier after a televised speech in which he said he planned to dissolve Congress, a last-ditch attempt to retain power as he faced an impeachment trial.
Dina Boluarte has been sworn in as Peru’s new president, the first woman to hold the position in the country.
Castillo’s move was immediately condemned by political forces, including the party that brought him to power, Peru Libre (Free Peru), and a series of Cabinet resignations followed.
Boluarte, who was vice president until Wednesday evening, also “rejected” Castillo’s decision to “perpetrate the breakdown of the constitutional order by closing the Congress,” while the nation’s ombudsman called the attempt to dissolve Congress a “coup.”
Following the chaos generated by Castillo’s statement, local media reported that the president had gone to the Mexican Embassy in the capital Lima to request asylum.
A video circulating on social media showed how police intercepted his car and took him into custody.
Lawmakers voted 101-6, with 10 abstentions, to remove Castillo, citing reasons of “permanent moral incapacity.”
POST YOUR COMMENTS
MAORANDCITIES.COM uses both Facebook and Disqus comment systems to make it easier for you to contribute. We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. All comments should be relevant to the topic. By posting, you agree to our Privacy Policy. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, name-calling, foul language or other inappropriate behavior. Please keep your comments relevant and respectful. By leaving the ‘Post to Facebook’ box selected – when using Facebook comment system – your comment will be published to your Facebook profile in addition to the space below. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the “X” in the upper right corner of the Facebook comment box to report spam or abuse. You can also email us.