Peru

Peru: Legislators Submit Motion to Impeach Boluarte

JAN 26 2023·Updated APR 9

Story

Image credit: Reuters [via Al Jazeera]

The Facts

A group of left-wing politicians in Peru has filed an impeachment motion against Pres. Dina Boluarte over her handling of nationwide protests following the ousting of Pedro Castillo.
Al Jazeera
28 members of Congress who support Castillo signed the motion on Wednesday, accusing Boluarte of allowing abuse and disproportionate use of force to curb demonstrations.
Reuters
This comes as around 50 people have been killed since early December in anti-government protests that continue to shake the country. Demonstrators have called for Boluarte's resignation, the dissolution of Congress, and immediate elections.
EuroNews
For proceedings against Boluarte to start in the 130-member legislature, at least 52 lawmakers must vote in favor of the motion, while 87 votes are needed to formally remove her from office — an unlikely outcome as she has the support of the conservative groups that have a majority in Congress.
Bloomberg.com
Boluarte, who has blamed the detained Castillo for promoting political polarization during his nearly 17 months in power, called for a "political truce" on Tuesday as she also accused drug traffickers and others of stirring up the violence on the streets.
Yahoo! News
Peru has been politically volatile for some time, with six different presidents taking office in just four years.
Bloomberg.com

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Establishment-critical narrative

Through its brutal actions, the Boluarte regime forfeited any legitimacy to lead the country. Even curfews cannot keep impoverished Peruvians from standing up for Castillo and democracy. The fury is justified since it was allegedly the US that orchestrated the coup against Castillo to secure its corporate and geopolitical interests. It is time for US imperialism and its increasingly repressive Peruvian puppet government to accept reality and return Peru to the Peruvians.

World Socialist Web Site

Pro-establishment narrative

Boluarte has the right to continue Castillo's remaining term after his failed coup attempt. However, she must now ensure that the security forces' crackdown doesn't escalate further beyond what it has rightfully done to quell the vandalism and looting. She must address the public’s discontent and stabilize the situation.