Numerous mobilizations and protests in support of former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo continue in several cities of the country, two days after he was impeached and arrested for the alleged crime of rebellion after attempting to dissolve the Congress on the eve of the third motion of censure he had to face.
In Lima, the capital, protests have concentrated around Congress. Castillo’s supporters are demanding that it be dissolved as he announced on Wednesday, which ultimately meant his political death.
Police have had to use tear gas to dissolve the protests, which later concentrated in the streets surrounding the Congress. Castillo’s supporters blame the new president, Dina Boluarte, for being behind the police repression. Since Wednesday, mobilizations have increased, also calling for new general elections.
«The number one objective is to free Professor Pedro Castillo, he committed neither rebellion nor sedition, we need the solidarity and unity of the people», demanded the first of his five heads of government, Guido Bellido, who days ago speculated about the possibility that the former president had been pressured by his «advisors» to announce the dissolution of Congress.
Protests have also spread to the surroundings of the headquarters of the Police Special Operations Directorate (Diroes), in the Ate district of Lima, where Castillo is being held. However, no clashes with security forces have been reported, reports ‘La Republica’.
In addition to the capital, protests have taken place in other parts of the Andean country, such as in Canchis, Cuzco, where some 300 citizens blocked some access and exit points to the regions of Puno and Arequipa. Among the participants are the rank and file of various unions and district defenses, among them one of the main education unions, such as SUTEP.
Mobilizations have been registered in the provinces of Canas, Arequipa, Puno, Ica and Cajamarca. Hundreds of people have participated in all of them, coinciding in pointing out the need for new elections. Dina Boluarte, you do not represent me’, ‘Dina Boluarte, traitor’, are some of the chants heard.
For their part, the social organizations and grassroots unions of the Vraem (Valley of the Apurimac, Ene and Mantaro Rivers) have called for a mobilization to head towards Lima and demand the closure of the Congress. «If Castillo was dismissed, the congressmen must also leave,» reads the call.
