Hello! This is an emergency issue of our newsletter with breaking news from Peru. We explain the biggest institutional crisis the country has faced in decades.
Facing a new impeachment attempt today, President Pedro Castillo of Peru dissolved the countryâs opposition-led Congress, announced that he would rule by decree leading a âgovernment of exception,â and called for new parliamentary elections, a constitutional reform, and a âre-organizationâ of the countryâs judiciary.
Opposition leaders, Peruvian media, and even members of Mr. Castilloâs own government described the move as a âcoup dâĂŠtat.â
Lawmakers claimed Mr. Castillo had no legal grounds to proceed with the dissolution of the legislature and decided to carry on with the vote on the motion of vacancy â with 101 of 130 lawmakers voting to remove him from office for âmoral incapacity.â
Following the vote, Mr. Castillo was detained.
Primera imagen de Pedro Castillo detenido por la policĂa. Este es el futuro que le espera a todo aquel que intente imponer una dictadura. pic.twitter.com/WTdrhX56km
— AgustĂn Antonetti (@agusantonetti) December 7, 2022
Wednesday’s events plunge an already fragile democracy into what is arguably its worst crisis in years. And when it comes to Peruvian politics, that is a high bar to...