Bolluarte — who took office on Wednesday after the ouster of her predecessor, Pedro Castillo — appealed to her countrymen for calm and restraint amid sporadic protests in support of the country’s former president.
Peru’s new president, Dina Bolluarte, said Friday that she is willing to discuss early elections with the country’s political forces, but ruled out constitutional amendments at this stage.
Bolluarte — who took office on Wednesday after the ouster of her predecessor, Pedro Castillo — appealed to her countrymen for calm and restraint amid sporadic protests in support of the country’s former president.
Peruvian television earlier aired images of hundreds of farmers blocking a section of a central highway, calling for early elections.
“If society and the current situation warrant the calling of an election, then in consultation with the democratic and political forces in Congress, we will sit down and discuss,” Bolluarte told reporters.
“It’s not me who caused this situation, I’m just fulfilling my constitutional role,” she added, and addressing her compatriots, she said: “I call on my sisters and brothers who are protesting… to calm down.”
The 60-year-old jurist, who was Castillo’s vice president, became Peru’s first woman president and her term will end in 2026 unless early elections are called.
Asked about the calls of left-wing parties to change the Constitution, Boluarte said she believes that “the time has not come. Right now Peru is going through a political crisis and we also have to solve the economic and food crisis.”
Peru’s new president said she plans to visit Pedro Castillo in prison, noting that “his coup surprised us all, including his ministers.”
Castillo tried to dissolve Congress just hours before the vote that led to his ouster. He was arrested and faces criminal charges.
The former chief of staff and his lawyer Pedro Castillo claimed that the former president of Peru made the speech while under the influence of drugs.
Mexican authorities announced Thursday that they have begun talks with the Peruvian government regarding Castillo’s request to the Mexican embassy for political asylum. On Friday afternoon, the Peruvian Foreign Ministry summoned the Mexican ambassador to protest this “interference in Peru’s internal affairs.”
RES-EMP
Read the News today and get the latest news.
Follow Skai.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news.
With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
