At least 18 people have been killed in Peru amid mass protests following the ouster and arrest of former president Pedro Castillo. Mr. Castillo was ordered to remain in custody for 18 months by the Supreme Court while he is investigated for “posturing” and “conspiracy” over his attempt to dissolve Congress.
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Friday strongly criticized the state of emergency imposed in Peru to quell anti-government protests marred by bloody incidents, and he lashed out at the US ambassador in Lima, who met with the new Peruvian president. Dina Boluarte.
At least 18 people have been killed in Peru amid mass protests following the ouster and arrest of former president Pedro Castillo. Mr. Castillo was ordered to remain in custody for 18 months by the Supreme Court while he is investigated for “posturing” and “conspiracy” over his attempt to dissolve Congress.
Mr. López Obrador (nationalist left) says he still considers Mr. Castillo, who was elected with a party of the radical left in 2021, the legitimate president of Peru, although at the same time he assures that his country’s foreign policy is still dominated by principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.
Peru’s month-long state of emergency allows the military to take part in law enforcement operations, gives increased powers to police and suspends constitutional rights. Protesters defy her. Mexican President López Obrador described the developments in the Andean state with the expression “a state of siege”.
“Violence must not be used, the people must not be suppressed, freedoms must be guaranteed,” the Mexican head of state said during yesterday’s press conference.
Also, Mr. López Obrador criticized Lisa Kena, the US ambassador in Lima, because she met with the new president Bolluarte, until December 7th, Mr. Castillo’s vice president.
“Doesn’t it seem like a show of arrogance to you?” he asked, addressing reporters. Shortly after, he raised the question of whether Washington knows what its diplomats are doing in Peru. “Maybe even (US Secretary of State Anthony) Blinken doesn’t know how to handle things in the embassy,” because “that’s how things are always done, especially in Latin America.”
He didn’t get more specific.
The government of Mr. López Obrador has announced that it is in consultation with the Peruvian authorities on the request submitted by the former president Castillo to be granted asylum in Mexico.
A poll published this week by the Mexican newspaper El Financiero indicated, however, that 52% disagree with the idea of offering asylum to Mr. Castillo, while 37% are in favor; furthermore, 51% of the sample of this survey considered that Mr. López Obrador should not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, while 39% believe he has the right to express his opinions.
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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.
