The tumultuous day began when then-President Castillo announced plans to dissolve Congress and install an emergency government, ahead of a looming impeachment vote by lawmakers, which Peru’s Ombudsman described as an “attempted coup d’état.”
He also called for parliamentary elections to work on a new constitution.
The move prompted a string of cabinet resignations, fiery reactions from top officials and condemnation from regional neighbors – and ultimately failed to prevent his impeachment in Congress.
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In a stunning turn of events, Castillo was detained by police in the capital city Lima after lawmakers impeached him in Congress.
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In a statement, the office of Peru’s Attorney General said Castillo had been arrested for the alleged crime of rebellion, “for violating the constitutional order.”
“We condemn the breach of the constitutional order,” Peru’s Attorney General, Patricia Benavides, said in a statement. “The Political Constitution of Peru enshrines the separation of powers and establishes that Peru is a democratic and sovereign republic … No authority can place itself above the Constitution and must comply with its constitutional mandates.”
Moments ago I spoke to Brittney Griner.
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 8, 2022
She is safe.
She is on a plane.
She is on her way home. pic.twitter.com/FmHgfzrcDT
As Dems re-elect Schumer as leader, a shakeup in their team. Sen. Patty Murray — who has long been the No. 3 — will be the president pro tempore in the new Senate after 89-year-old Dianne Feinstein passed on the position reserved for the longest-serving member of the majority
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) December 8, 2022