Peru’s President Pedro Castillo Stages Self-Coup, Announces Dissolution of Congress

The Peruvian president has announced the temporary dissolution of Congress and the establishment of a state of exception, during which he will rule by decree

President Pedro Castillo was to face an impeachment process on December 7.
December 07, 2022 | 12:17 PM

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Bloomberg Línea — Perú's President Pedro Castillo, who is today facing an impeachment trial and a presidential removal process, declared in a message to the nation the dissolution of the Congress of the Republic, an act that had not occurred in the Andean country since Alberto Fujimori’s self-coup on April 5, 1992.

Castillo announced his decision to establish a state of exception after temporarily dissolving Congress. He stated in this message that he will establish a temporary government, and that elections for a new parliament will be called.

In addition, Castillo warned that he will be governing by means of decree until a new Congress is formed.

Peru’s Economy Minister Kurt Burneo resigned from his post following the dissolution of Congress announced by Castillo, and said in a tweet that his resignation is final and irrevocable.

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“After having violated the the rule of law and in line with my democratic principles, I am submitting my irrevocable resignation as Minister of Economy and Finance Minister,” Burneo said.

Burneo was Pedro Castillo’s third economy minister, and signed the authentic interpretation act by the government, aimed at denying the vote of confidence by Congress.

The Peruvian president decreed a nationwide curfew from Wednesday, December 7 from 10:00 p.m. until 4:00 a.m. on December 8.

-- Updated at 11:30 CT, adds fourth, fifth and sixth paragraph and embeds tweet.