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| Caribbean-Latin America |
| Peru President Detained By Police After Impeachment, "Coup" |
| 2022-12-08 |
| [ZH] Update 2 (2:30pmET): This should answer our question whose side the local military/policy is. * PERU POLICE DETAIN PRESIDENT PEDRO CASTILLO: COMERCIO * * * Update (1:50pmET): *PERU CONGRESS APPROVES IMPEACHING PRESIDENT PEDRO CASTILLO PERU'S VICE PRESIDENT REJECTS ON TWITTER CASTILLO'S DECISION TO "PERPETRATE THE BREAKDOWN OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER WITH THE CLOSURE OF CONGRESS" * * * It turns out the US is not the only banana republic out there: moments ago, Peru President Pedro Castillo announced the dissolution of congress and called for legislative elections to draft a new constitution hours before an impeachment debate, greatly escalating a political crisis and putting the Latin American nation’s democracy under threat. "We took the decision of establishing a government of exception toward reestablishing the rule of law and democracy," Castillo said in a televised speech Wednesday, adding that the incoming congress will draft a new constitution within nine months. "From today and until the new congress is established, we will govern through decrees." Castillo's move was met with nationwide protests and outrage by the Peruvian constitutional court which called the dissolution of Congress a coup, and said that Castillo is no longer president. Meanwhile, the Congress - which apparently did not get the memo that it has been dissolved - started the Castillo impeachment session early, and will most likely vote to remove the president. Additionally, the Peruvian vice president Boluarte rejected Castillo's "coup" while the country's Attorney General said he would file a criminal complaint against Castillo. Meanwhile Castillo also announced a curfew and the "reorganization" of Peru’s justice system including the top courts at the same time he pledged to respect private property and business freedom. The president also said all illegal arms in possession of Peruvians must be handed back to the police within 72 hours. Castillo’s unexpected move comes as congress was preparing to discuss a third impeachment attempt against him after failing to remove him from power twice. The president has had a rocky relationship with lawmakers since the start of his administration in July 2021 yet the measure risks creating a backlash as it’s legality will be questioned. A sign of that came quickly after Castillo’s speech, when Finance Minister Kurt Burneo, Foreign Minister Cesar Landa, and Justice Minister Felix Chero presented their resignations. The move brought back memories of the decision by former leader Alberto Fujimori in 1992 to dissolve congress. At that time, he was supported by his ministers and the military. And just like then, what will matter at the end of the day is who controls the army. Sure enough, as Rodolfo Rojas, a partner at Lima-based Sequoia political advisory group said, "the army’s attitude toward this will be decisive over the next hours. If they back Castillo, he could stay in power temporarily, but if not, he’s going to fall." Related: Peru: 2022-11-13 'Handsy' monkey goes wild on former Miss Peru Paula Manzanal in Bali Peru: 2022-11-05 Ecuador drug violence: Six police wounded in prison riot Peru: 2022-11-02 News Roundup: Active hostilities continue in the Kherson region, the Russians hit Donetsk with rockets Related: Pedro Castillo: 2022-06-10 Mexico's Bigoted Summit of the Americas Boycott Fizzles as Other Leftist Leaders Choose to Attend Pedro Castillo: 2022-04-07 Peru: Attempted Curfew Ends with Mob Looting, Urinating on Lima Superior Court Pedro Castillo: 2021-07-21 Leftist Castillo declared Peru's new president after lengthy election standoff |
| Posted by:Frank G |
| #7 Army of Steve(s). America should be so lucky |
| Posted by: Frank G 2022-12-08 20:07 |
| #6 Ref #4: Yes TW, a mystery I have pondered regarding many in this formation for years. I suspect the BIO's and backgrounds would be amazing. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2022-12-08 17:53 |
| #5 I feel like the other guy in the rhyming Snoop Dog Corona commercial. I got nothing. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2022-12-08 16:33 |
| #4 Let us all stop to admire how marvelous SteveS must be at his day job. ;-) /honestly, that really was my first thought. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2022-12-08 14:57 |
| #3 You may be laissez-faire, and not have a care. But when the coup turns to poop, It's you in the soup. |
| Posted by: SteveS 2022-12-08 12:08 |
| #2 Seems like the coup turned to poop. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2022-12-08 12:01 |
| #1 what will matter at the end of the day is who controls the army. We in America are already at this point, but they haven't engaged in open hostilities against us yet. You think the deep state wouldn't like to repeal the Constitution and get rid of every judge except the ones that are on their side? I think they'd rather have that than start a new war. |
| Posted by: Spike the Hairy6811 2022-12-08 04:48 |