Peru’s First Female President sworn in, predecessor Castillo arrested
Peru newly swore in their first female president on Wednesday after a day of political drama that saw leftist leader Pedro Castillo arrested after his ousting from office in an impeachment trial following his last-ditch bid to cling to power by dissolving Congress.
Ignoring Castillo’s attempt to shut down the legislature by decree, lawmakers moved ahead with a previously planned impeachment trial, with 101 votes in favour of removing him, six against, and ten abstentions.
The result was announced to loud cheers, and the legislature called on Vice President Dina Boluarte to take office.
The 60-year-old Boluarte was sworn in as president through 2026, making her the first woman to lead Peru.
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She called for a political truce after months of instability, including two prior impeachment attempts, and said a new cabinet inclusive of all political stripes would be formed.
She lambasted Castillo’s move to dissolve Congress as an “attempted coup.”
The public ministry said Wednesday evening that Castillo had been detained and accused of “rebellion” and “conspiracy” for breaking the constitutional order.
Castillo had said he would temporarily shut down Congress, launch a “government of exception,” and call for new legislative elections.
His ministers resigned amid angry accusations from opposition politicians and his allies that he was attempting a coup.
The police and armed forces warned him that his route to try to dissolve Congress was unconstitutional, and the police said they had “intervened” to fulfil their duties.
Peru’s Vice President Dina Boluarte, who Congress called on to take the office of president after the legislature approved the removal of President Pedro Castillo in an impeachment trial, attends her swearing-in ceremony in Lima, Peru.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department welcomed Boluarte’s appointment in a statement, adding that the United States would “support Peru under the unity government President Boluarte pledged to form.“
