Political crisis in Peru

In the South American country of Peru, Vice President Dina Boluarte has been sworn in as the country's new president. After former President Pedro Castillo was removed from office by Congress on charges of "permanent moral deficiency," Boluarte took office as the first female president in the country's history. In her speech to Congress, which she entered with applause, Boluarte said, "I swear in the name of God, the country and all Peruvians that I will faithfully fulfill the office of president and defend the constitution of Peru until July 26, 2026." Emphasizing that this was a coup attempt that had no counterpart in institutions, Boluarte said, "I take on this duty with the awareness of the great responsibility and my first job is to call all Peruvians to unity in the most comprehensive way. It is up to us to establish and reach a dialogue. I call for a broad dialogue between all political forces." Boluarte stated that they will respect the fundamental rights of citizens and that their goal is to carry out the political and economic reforms that the country needs. Who is Boluarte? Born on May 31, 1962 in the town of Chalhuanca in the Apurimac region, Dina Boluarte graduated from San Martin de Porres University as a lawyer and completed her postgraduate studies at the same university. Boluarte took her first step in politics in 2018, running for mayor of the Surquillo district in Lima province, but was unsuccessful. Similarly, Boluarte, who participated in the parliamentary elections in 2020 as part of the Free Peru Party, did not receive enough votes. Boluarte was appointed Vice President by then President Castillo on July 29, 2021. What happened? In her address to the nation, Castillo said that Congress had been dissolved, that an emergency government would govern the country as of today, and that elections would be held for a new Congress and a new constitution would be prepared within 9 months. Noting that Congress targeted her government, Castillo said, "Congress destroyed the rule of law and democracy. It disrupted the balance of power with the approval of the Constitutional Court in order to establish a 'Congressional dictatorship.'" Following Castillo’s decision, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Economy and Finance, the Minister of Justice and Human Rights, the Minister of Labor, the Minister of Education, and the Minister of Communications and Transport resigned. The army and police will remain loyal to the current constitutional order Following Castillo’s decision to dissolve Congress and establish a national emergency government, a statement from the Joint Command of the Peruvian Armed Forces and the Peruvian National Police stated that the institutions respected the constitutional order and would not take any action to the contrary. The statement emphasized that the Armed Forces and the police were in unity and called on the public to remain calm. Congress in Peru dismisses Castillo Castillo was impeached by Congress, which accused him of overthrowing the government, on charges of “permanent moral deficiency.” The decision to dismiss Castillo from his post was approved by a general assembly meeting with 101 votes in favor, 6 against, and 10 abstentions. The reason given for the decision to remove Castillo from office in Congress was "attempting to usurp public functions, obstruct the exercise of state powers and violate the order established by the political constitution." Pedro Castillo was detained by the police after his decision to dissolve Congress and establish a national emergency government. Five criminal investigations are underway against Castillo, two of which "investigate whether he is part of a criminal organization." On October 12, the Attorney General's Office charged Castillo with corruption for allegedly leading a criminal organization and committing public crimes. Castillo, who has denied the accusations against him in various statements, has said many times that Congress wants to stage a coup against him.