Former President Pedro Castillo of Peru has been sentenced to 11.5 years in prison by the country’s Supreme Court for conspiracy to commit rebellion. The ruling stems from Castillo’s attempts to dissolve Congress in 2022 as lawmakers were preparing to impeach him. In addition to the prison sentence, Castillo, who is currently 56 years old, has also been banned from holding public office for two years.
The court’s decision comes after Castillo has been in custody since his arrest in December 2022. Alongside him, two former ministers, including ex-Prime Minister Betssy Chávez, received the same 11.5-year sentence for their roles in the conspiracy. Chávez has sought asylum in Mexico and remains within the Mexican embassy in Lima, the capital of Peru. This situation has led to a diplomatic rift, as the Peruvian government severed relations with Mexico following the granting of asylum.
Political Turmoil and Leadership Changes
Castillo’s presidency, marked by his promise to uplift the poor, began in 2021 when he became the first leader from a poor farming community in the nation’s history. He took office without prior political experience and soon faced significant challenges, including widespread discontent leading to his eventual impeachment. After Castillo’s removal, his Vice President, Dina Boluarte, assumed the presidency but was also ousted in October 2023 due to public dissatisfaction and a surge in crime across the nation. The current leader is José Jerí, who was previously the head of Congress.
This recent ruling marks the second sentencing of a former Peruvian president this week, as Martín Vizcarra was sentenced to 14 years for bribery while serving as governor of a southern state. Castillo and his former ministers have the option to appeal the Supreme Court’s decision, which underscores the ongoing political instability in Peru. As the nation grapples with these developments, the implications for its governance and public trust remain significant.
