Bolsonaro government says Castillo violated democracy and rule of law in Peru

The government of Jair Bolsonaro (PL) said this Wednesday (7) that the ousted president of Peru, Pedro Castillo, had taken actions “incompatible with the constitutional framework” of the country.

The leader’s attempt to dissolve Parliament and declare a state of exception was also considered by the Itamaraty as a “violation of the validity of democracy and the rule of law”. In a note, the ministry said it hoped that “the constitutional decision of the Peruvian Congress represents the guarantee of the full functioning of the democratic State in Peru.”

Castillo was removed from the Presidency by Congress this Wednesday afternoon, hours after trying to dissolve Parliament and bring forward elections, still enacting a state of exception. Subsequently, the Peruvian Legislature ignored the order and approved the politician’s vacancy motion. His deputy, Dina Boluarte, was then summoned to take office as president.

The motion, a kind of impeachment, was approved with 101 votes in favor, 6 against and 10 abstentions – 87 votes were needed for approval. The Peruvian Federal Police reported that Castillo was detained and called him a former president.

The dissolution of Congress is a valid instrument in the Peruvian system, as long as Parliament has rejected at least two votes of confidence in the president. Castillo tried to anticipate the session scheduled for this Wednesday in which Parliament would analyze his third dismissal process, but failed.

Itamaraty said it was monitoring the situation in Peru with concern. “The Brazilian government expresses its willingness to continue maintaining the solid relations of friendship and cooperation that unite the two countries and wishes President Dina Boluarte success in her mission as Head of the Peruvian State,” he said in his statement.