In yet another episode of the political crisis in Peru, the country’s Congress denied authorization for President Pedro Castillo to participate in the inauguration ceremony of Gustavo Petro in Colombia next Sunday (7).
Peruvian law says the head of state needs permission to travel abroad, but the request by Castilo, a conservative leftist with a populist bias, was blocked by the right-dominated parliament by 67 votes to 42 (and 5 abstentions). This will be the first time in three decades that a president has seen his expectations of traveling on official mission dashed.
The argument used by lawmakers was that the current president has five inquiries running against him, an unprecedented situation in Peru. Among the possible crimes investigated are alleged corruption schemes in public works and influence peddling in a fuel purchase agreement.
Castillo had requested permission to leave the national territory from 6 to 8 August. “I regret that, in an unusual and arrogant way, the Congress prevents me from participating in an international protocol act. This fact undermines democratic ties with the sister Republic of Colombia,” he said on Twitter.
Peruvian Foreign Minister César Landa also spoke on social media and asked Congress to review the decision. According to the government, Castillo’s presence in Colombia would strengthen the historic ties of fraternity and cooperation between the two countries.
“Our international image is once again questioned by not authorizing the president’s trip for the transfer of command in Colombia. I appeal to parliamentarians, who on other occasions reversed decisions to honor Peru’s international commitments,” he said on Twitter.
The imbroglio with the parliament adds another chapter to the country’s political crisis. Castillo’s administration has been marked by instability and a series of investigations into corruption.
Last Wednesday (3), Prime Minister AnÃbal Torres presented his resignation from the post, forcing the president to appoint the fifth cabinet in just over a year in power.
Since taking office, the Peruvian leader has changed parties after being accused by his former supporters of not having put into practice the party’s program or having fulfilled electoral promises. The acronym even came to declare opposition to the government.
