LIMA, Jan 25 (Reuters) – A group of Peruvian lawmakers on Wednesday submitted a motion seeking to impeach President Dina Boluarte after a little over a month in power citing “permanent moral incapacity”.
The bid to remove Boluarte comes in the midst of violent protests following the impeachment and arrest last month of her predecessor, Pedro Castillo, in which dozens of people have been killed.
The motion, a copy of which was reviewed by Reuters, was signed by 28 leftist members of congress who support Castillo. A minimum of 20%, or 26 signatures, was required to file the motion.
The motion must now be approved by 52 votes before it can be debated in Congress where it must win two-thirds of the chamber’s support.
“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 said, accusing Boluarte of allowing the abuse and disproportionate use of force, among other accusations.
Boluarte’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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She has blamed Castillo, who is in pretrial detention, for promoting political polarization during his nearly 17 months in power.
On Tuesday, Boluarte called for a “political truce”. She has also accused drug traffickers and others of stirring up the violence on the streets.
Peru’s ombudsman office said there were more than 90 blockades across the country on Wednesday and one person was killed in Cusco city.
At least 47 people have died in clashes since the protests began in December, according to the office, including one police officer, while hundreds have been injured.
Human rights groups accuse police and soldiers of using excessive force, including live ammunition and dropping tear gas from helicopters.
Security forces say protesters, mostly in Peru’s southern Andes, used homemade weapons and explosives.
Organization of American States backs Peru’s president as protests mount
Secretary-General of the Organization of American States (OAS) Luis Almagro heads a session at the OAS 52nd General Assembly, in Lima, Peru October 7, 2022. REUTERS/Angela Ponce/File Photo
Jan 25 (Reuters) – The Organization of American States’ permanent council expressed its “full support” for Peruvian President Dina Boluarte on Wednesday, following weeks of anti-government protests that have left dozens dead.
Attending virtually, Boluarte told the council meeting in Washington that she had asked Peru’s Congress to approve early elections “as soon as possible”.
The Congress is set to hold a second and final vote to ratify early elections, moving them from 2026 to April 2024.
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However, there is mounting pressure to move the elections forward even earlier, as the death toll from weeks of social unrest ticks up.
