Peru: José María Balcázar Sworn in as Interim President
Does Balcázar's election vindicate democracy or is this a historic error for Peru?
Above: Peru's new interim President José María Balcázar is sworn in at the National Congress in Lima on Feb. 18. Image credit: Jorge Cerdan/Anadolu/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-government narrative
Balcázar's election vindicates the popular will that was violated with the ousting of Pedro Castillo years ago and disciplines the coup plotters who attempted to subvert democracy. This symbolic return of Perú Libre, even in the final months of the term, puts the country back on track.
Government-critical narrative
Regardless of Balcázar's political ideologies, his election is an unforgivable historic error that reveals the moral bankruptcy of lawmakers. It's shameful that the country now has a president that justifies and supports child marriage and whose statements are incompatible with fundamental human rights.