LIMA: Peru swore in a new president on Wednesday, following a day of political drama that saw leftist leader Pedro Castillo arrested after being removed from office in an impeachment trial following his last-ditch attempt to cling to power by dissolving Congress.
Ignoring Castillo's attempt to close the legislature by decree, lawmakers proceeded with an impeachment trial, with 101 votes in favour of removing him, six against, and ten abstentions.
The outcome was announced to loud applause, and the legislature requested that Vice President Dina Boluarte take office.
Boluarte, 60, was sworn in as Peru's president until 2026, making her the country's first female leader. She called for a political truce after months of turmoil, including two previous impeachment attempts, and announced the formation of a new cabinet that would include representatives from all political parties.
She called Castillo's decision to dissolve Congress a "attempted coup."
On Wednesday evening, the public ministry announced that Castillo had been arrested and charged with "rebellion" and "conspiracy" for violating the constitutional order.
Castillo was seen leaving a police station, and it was reported that he would be transferred to a police-run prison.
Castillo had previously stated that he would temporarily shut down Congress, institute a "government of exception," and call new legislative elections.
His ministers resigned as a result, prompting angry accusations from both opposition politicians and his allies that he was plotting a coup. The police and armed forces warned him that his method of dissolving Congress was unconstitutional, and the police said they had "intervened" to fulfill their duties.
Some small street protests took place. In Lima, dozens of people waving Peruvian flags cheered Castillo's downfall, while elsewhere in the capital and in the city of Arequipa his supporters marched and clashed with police. One held a sign saying: "Pedro, the people are with you."
Dozens of police officers with shields and plastic helmets were deployed around the Government Palace and Congress in Lima, which were surrounded by metal barricades.
Peru has gone through years of political turmoil, with multiple leaders accused of corruption, frequent impeachment attempts, and presidential terms cut short.
The latest legal battle began in October, when the prosecutor's office filed a constitutional complaint against Castillo for allegedly leading "a criminal organization" to profit from state contracts and for obstructing investigations.
Congress summoned Castillo last week to respond to accusations of "moral incapacity" to govern.
Castillo has called the allegations "slander" by groups seeking "to take advantage and seize the power that the people took from them at the polls."
Peru has gone through years of political turmoil, with multiple leaders accused of corruption, frequent impeachment attempts, and presidential terms cut short.
The latest legal battle began in October, when the prosecutor's office filed a constitutional complaint against Castillo for allegedly leading "a criminal organization" to profit from state contracts and for obstructing investigations.
Congress summoned Castillo last week to respond to accusations of "moral incapacity" to govern.
Castillo has called the allegations "slander" by groups seeking "to take advantage and seize the power that the people took from them at the polls."
The turmoil rattled markets in the world's second-largest copper producer, though analysts said Castillo's removal, who has faced a hostile Congress since taking power, could be beneficial in the long run.
"Peru's financial markets will suffer, but not collapse, owing primarily to solid domestic fundamentals," said Pantheon Macroeconomics' Andres Abadia.