“Peru is not having a good time“, finally acknowledged the president Peter’s Castle. Recognition had something superfluous. The political crisis in Peru has intensified in recent days due to the combination of the following. internal factorsEspecially because of the very fragile presidential administration and the initial effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on the economy. In a country that is a major importer of oil, the rise in fuel prices lit the fire that only Peru lacked: social unrest. The cost of living increased due to the incompetence of the authorities. A 30% of Peruvians are poor and the informal economy covers almost 89% of the population. Demonstrations started, barricades.
Unrest spread in different regions. Farmers and transporters demanding preferential prices for the purchase of fertilizers took part in the first protest. Then other social sectors joined. they have ever had six people died. Castillo and his team traveled to Huancayo, 300 kilometers from Lima, in one of the most contradictory scenarios, to signal normalcy in the Government’s activities, but the tension has not subsided and new problems are foreseen on the streets. “For now, the only way out is to resign,” said María del Carmen Alva, the congress’ chief official.
2 Eight months of turmoil
Castillo is a state union leader. Free Peru, an orthodox left-wing party, led as a candidate for president. He entered the Pizarro Palace, defeating right-wing Keiko Fujimori by several thousand votes in the second round. His meager victory foreshadowed numerous difficulties: he took office on July 28 last year without a parliamentary majority and with threats of impeachment. Initially, Castillo tried to run a more left-leaning program.
However, the resignations of the four prime ministers and the successive domestic catastrophes, with successive changes in different strategic areas of the State, turned the provincial teacher into a tightrope walker who, with daring pragmatism, re-armed the Government with ministers from other ideological backgrounds. including antagonistic. Left practically turned his back on him.
3. Two motions of no confidence
Instability became the norm for Castillo these months. He avoided a motion of condemnation backed by conservative forces in December. He had the same chance days before, as the right-wing reserves did not get enough votes to dismiss him. However, the crisis that started with the crisis announced this week, state of emergency An extreme measure in the capital and neighboring Callao region, canceled hours later due to its immense popularity, has cast further doubt on its prospects to stay in power.
A recent survey by consulting firm Datun found that 60% of those interviewed demand his immediate resignation. Only 19% of Peruvians approve of the presidential figure. ‘Peru 21’ newspaper said on its front page, “He doesn’t raise his head anymore,” and this perception was shared by all the media.
4. Court cases
For Castillo, the fronts are multiplying. The prosecution is investigating him for alleged influence trading. As if that wasn’t enough prosecutor specializing in corruption cases, Karla Zecenarro demanded the precautionary detention of her three nephews, who were fugitives. There is also an arrest warrant behind Bruno Pacheco, the former presidential general secretary, for another alleged malicious act. Some analysts believe the former collaborator could hasten the president’s much-heralded downfall if he speaks in court.
5. Uncertain scenario
“Well, in Peru everything is possible. I say again that there is nothing new in this country. In five years we have had five presidents and three Congresses,” said Prime Minister Aníbal Torres, whose fate was also in jeopardy after the extraordinary defense of Nazism and fascism.
“Without infrastructure, the country cannot develop. Ways of communication are like veins, to be able to survive and progress like arteries in a person. I’ll give you an example: Italy and Germany were like us. But on one occasion. Adolf Hitler visited northern Italy and (Benito) Mussolini showed him a built highway from Milan to Brescia. hitler saw thiswent to his country and filled it with highways and airports and made Germany the world’s first economic power”.