Peru President out after ‘coup’ bid, Vice President 1st woman to lead country

LIMA: It was a day on which much of Peru was focused on Congress, where an impeachment vote was planned against the president on corruption charges. But shortly before noon, the Peruvian leader addressed the country in a surprise televised address.

He announced the dissolution of Congress and the installation of an emergency government, stunning political leaders acrossthe spectrum, including his own allies, by effectively trying to carry out what was condemned as an attempted coup to cling to power. Government officials resigned en masse. The top court declared the move unconstitutional. And the country’s armed forces and police issued a joint statement suggesting they would not support him. By day’s end, Pedro Castillo, 53, was ousted from power and under arrest. His vice-president was sworn in as president and became the first woman to lead Peru.

Ignoring Castillo’s attempt to shut down the legislature by decree, lawmakers moved ahead with a previously planned impeachment trial, with 101votes in favour of removing him, six against and 10 abstentions. The result was announced to loud cheers, and the legislature called on Vice President Dina Boluarte to take office. By nightfall on Wednesday, prosecutors announced Castillo was under arrest and accused of the crimes of “rebellion” and “conspiracy” for breaking the constitutional order.