Own Faults
Pedro Castillo faced intense scrutiny from the start. In Latin America, many progressive leaders offered little sympathy for Peru’s institutions or the actions of the elite. The tensions over territorial decisions reflected ongoing political frictions, and the ousted president resigned from power the moment he attempted to dissolve Congress.
Luiz Inácio “Lula” da Silva, a figure who has repeatedly shaped Brazil’s political landscape, noted the gravity of the situation in Peru. He reflected on the path that led to the constitutional crisis and the events that pushed Peru toward a critical moment. da Silva, who has led Brazil as president for a third term, conveyed concern about the trajectory toward removal of Castillo and urged careful respect for constitutional processes.
Lula emphasized that the matter should be resolved within republican institutions, stressing that democratic norms require patience. He urged Peruvian political actors to pursue constructive collaboration to restore peace and safeguard the well being of the Peruvian people.
“Own Faults”
Colombian leader Gustavo Petro weighed in with cautious analysis. He recalled that Castillo faced pressure from day one due to his background as a teacher in the highlands and his rise through popular elections. Petro pointed to the missteps on all sides that helped push the situation toward its collapse.
Petro argued that Castillo did not mobilize the support of those who elected him and allowed himself to drift toward political and democratic peril. He suggested that the ex-president, who faced a legal case, could not secure a favorable turn in a Congress marked by opposition and distrust.
When Petro met Castillo, he described a tense moment as officials moved to take action at the Government House. He recalled seeing the president isolated from the very people who had chosen him. Petro attributed the ongoing trouble to a weak early stance and to attempts to dissolve Congress without authentically reflecting the will of the people. He asserted that anti democratic trends could not be fought by retreating from the basics of democratic governance.
Castillo’s challenge stemmed from his early political position and his inability to rally broad support. He did not rally the voters who brought him to power and found himself trapped by a partisan climate that limited his room for maneuver.
I hope Peru will find a path to dialogue across its society.
— Gustavo Petro
Chile, under the leadership of President Gabriel Boric, announced plans to attend the Pacific Alliance summit in Lima and urged adherence to institutional frameworks for resolving conflicts. The Chilean foreign ministry highlighted commitments to human rights, democracy, and dialogue. Argentina likewise expressed deep concern and called for upholding constitutional order.
Mexico, Bolivia and Venezuela
In Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador faced delicate questions about Castillo’s asylum situation. The president stated that Castillo won the mandate legally and legitimately but faced coercive pressure from hostile forces, including economic and political elites who resisted his government.
Bolivia’s Luis Arce demanded accountability for what he described as ongoing harassment by elites against progressive governments. He noted the region’s history, recalling Evo Morales’s era, and argued that Peru’s democratically elected leadership deserves space to govern and pursue inclusive reforms.
Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro weighed in through a regional lens, framing Castillo’s crisis as a confrontation with persistent political and judicial pressure. Maduro argued that Castillo faced attempts to undermine his presidency and asserted that oligarchic forces sought to wield power on behalf of a small elite rather than the broader people. He characterized the struggle as one of defending a teacher who rose to national leadership against entrenched interests.