Pedro Castillo removal: Peru has become centre of instability in Latin America. The country has seen six presidents in last five years. Many blame Fujimori regime for the ambiguous constitution. The past two months have highlighted the problem.
The crisis has been exacerbated by US-involvement in the country. Now, it seems US is paving its way to invade the country (illegally).
Removal of Pedro Castillo
Former President Pedro Castillo was ousted from the office on December 7th 2022. After 17 months of being in power, Castillo was removed under the “official and legal impeachment” procedure.
Pedro Castillo was among the first presidents outside of Lima. He was seen by the political establishment and the economic elite in Lima as a political outsider who was unsuited to hold high office. Pedro Castillo became the victim of US-backed coup. The role of US embassy and Peru’s oligarchs who control Congress, in Castillo’s removal has been highlighted by us in earlier articles.
Peru’s new government
After removal of Pedro Castillo, Congress voted to have Vice President Dina Boluarte take over the presidency. It effectively made her the first female head of country in more than 200 years of Peruvian independence.
Read More: Is European Union trying a coup on Brazil’s Lula?
Boluarte was previously Castillo’s running mate in the 2021 election, and held the post of Minister of Development and Social Inclusion. Pedro Castillo had faced two impeachment votes prior to the third one in which he was removed. Amusingly, when Castillo faced first impeachment vote, Boluarte promised, “If the president is removed from office, I will leave with him.”
But, politics is dirty and politicians are opportunists.
As soon as Pedro Castillo was removed, Boluarte’s frequent meeting with US ambassador Lisa Kenna became the talk of the town. US has backed Boluarte strongly.
La presidenta @DinaErcilia Boluarte recibió a la embajadora de @USEMBASSYPERU, Lisa Kenna, quien reiteró el pleno respaldo de su país a la institucionalidad democrática en el Perú y a las acciones del gobierno constitucional para estabilizar la situación social.
🇵🇪🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/30EqAa75lx— Presidencia del Perú 🇵🇪 (@presidenciaperu) December 13, 2022
US was the first one to recognise her.
In May 2022, Boluarte was facing a legal challenge over involvement in two Lima-based private clubs while she was a minister in the government, an action which goes against Peruvian law and could have resulted in her being barred from public office for 10 years. These accusations were an excellent pressure tactic on Boluarte to push her to act in interests of the Congress.
That’s why, the same week she became President, congressional probe determined that Boluarte had not violated any law.
US to invade Peru?
In the last week of December, Dina Boluarte and the Council of Ministers of the coup government have proposed a law that would permit the admission of armed military and naval units with weapons of war into the country. This happened amidst the widespread protests in the country.
The letter stated to the Congress, “We are pleased to address you, in accordance with the provisions of article 107 of the Political Constitution of Peru, in order to submit to the consideration of the Congress of the Republic, with the approved vote of the Council of Ministers, the draft resolution legislation that authorizes the entry of naval units and foreign military personnel with weapons of war into the territory of the Republic of Peru.”
Read More: US’ modern-day colonization of Peru has begun
Boluarte’s coup government has orchestrated a smart ploy to allow foreign soldiers to enter Peru in the name of protests. Remember, Boluarte has already given military new powers to thwart the protests.
This would give US leeway to enter the country as it is behind the removal of Pedro Castillo. Not only would it use an iron hand to suppress the protesters but also, exploit Peru’s wealth.
US eyes the abundant mineral resources which Peru possesses. Peru’s the second largest exporter of copper and a significant exporter of silver iron. Other than that, it is rich in high-yield ores, significant amounts of iron, lead, zinc, bismuth, phosphates, and manganese. Not to forget, the oil deposits in northern part of the country.
