Published 26/01/2023 15:57 | Edited 01/27/2023 6:21 PM
Peruvian parliamentarians presented this Wednesday (25) a motion calling for the impeachment of President Dina Boluarte. Parliamentarians accuse her of “permanent moral incapacity” for closing herself off from dialogue with her opponents. She maintains the support of conservative elites, but says she will leave when the project is approved, bringing the election to 2024.
Meanwhile, the country remains paralyzed by airport and road blockades and violence, which are hurting tourism in Machu Picchu and Lima and the wider economy. Protesters do not accept the government’s legitimacy and refuse dialogue with Dina, especially after the murders.
Violent protests took to the streets of the country after the impeachment and imprisonment of his predecessor, former president Pedro Castillo, which left around 60 dead and 600 injured. “Never in the history of Peru has a government in such a short time – one month in office – killed more than forty people in protests,” the motion said.
Dina Boluarte took power as soon as Congress approved Castillo’s impeachment. He was ousted after an attempt to dissolve the legislature and declare a state of exception in Peru, which did not gain the support of the army, judiciary or legislature. Castillo came from a permanent process of destabilization of opposition to his government.
The former president’s measure was aimed at preventing the conclusion of the vote on his impeachment process in Congress. That was the third lawsuit that Castillo faced in a year and a half in power, in addition to being investigated in several processes. The unity of the conservative and Fujimorist elites against him did not have the popular support that elected him.
The motion, which was signed by more than 20 lawmakers, must pass by 52 votes before it can be debated in Congress. Deputies don’t necessarily support Castillo, but they are fed up with the current government’s inertia and brutality. The lack of dialogue has caused the social upheaval that paralyzes the country.
The manifestations
Protesters want Dina Boluarte’s resignation, new elections, a new constitution and Castillo’s fair trial.
Human rights groups accuse authorities of using firearms against protesters and using helicopters to drop smoke bombs.
There were also marches calling for an end to political unrest, although outrage over the approximately 60 murders carried out by the police only fueled further mobilization.
On January 10, the Peruvian Public Prosecutor’s Office stated that it began investigating Boluarte and people in her government for “genocide, aggravated homicide and serious injuries” related to the reaction to the protests.
According to a survey by the Institute of Peruvian Studies, published by the newspaper La Republica, 71% of the population disapproves of the way the president conducts the government. Only 19% of citizens said they support the management.
Source: vermelho.org.br
