Lawmakers in unrest-hit Peru call for incumbent president's impeachment
Legislators in unrest-hit Peru have called for the impeachment of President Dina Boluarte, as anti-government rallies are still underway, with protesters demanding her resignation.
In a motion submitted on Wednesday, a group of Peruvian lawmakers called for the impeachment of 60-year-old Boluarte, citing "permanent moral incapacity," a little over a month after she assumed power in the South American country.
"Never in the history of Peru has a government in so little time — a month in governance — killed more than forty people in protests," the motion read, alleging that Boluarte had allowed the abuse and disproportionate use of force, among other accusations.
Demonstrators, angered by dozens of deaths linked to protests since December last year, demand the resignation of Boluarte, snap elections, a congress reshuffle, and a new constitution.
Unrest began in December 2022 after former President Pedro Castillo was ousted and arrested. Since then, the streets of Peru have witnessed clashes between security forces and Castillo's supporters.
December and January marked the worst episodes of violence the copper-rich Andean nation has experienced in more than two decades, as many people in poorer rural regions are angry at the Lima political elite over inequality and rising prices.
The motion, which was signed by 28 pro-Castillo leftist members of congress, was submitted just a day after Boluarte called for a "political truce," while accusing drug traffickers and others of stirring up the violence on the streets.
She claims that Castillo, who is currently in pretrial detention, promoted political polarization during his nearly 17 months in power.
Although Boluarte has asked for "forgiveness" for the protest deaths, she firmly refuses to step down. Protesters are far from calm and forgiving.
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