Former Peruvian Leader Sentenced for Attempted Power Grab
Peru's Supreme Court has delivered a significant verdict, sentencing former President Pedro Castillo to 11.5 years in prison for conspiracy to commit rebellion. The conviction stems from his dramatic attempt in December 2022 to dissolve the nation's Congress as lawmakers were preparing to impeach him.
Sentencing Details and Fallout
A special panel of the highest court also imposed a two-year ban from public office on the 56-year-old former leader, who has remained in custody since his arrest immediately following the failed power grab. The court's decision extends beyond Castillo himself.
Two of his former ministers, including ex-Prime Minister Betssy Chávez, received identical 11.5-year prison sentences for the same crime. The situation surrounding Chávez has escalated into an international incident, with Mexico granting her asylum and her current refuge within the Mexican embassy in Lima.
This diplomatic protection has triggered a severe response from the Peruvian government, which has severed diplomatic relations with Mexico over the matter. All convicted individuals retain the right to appeal the court's decision.
Broader Political Context
This sentencing marks the second major conviction of a former Peruvian president within a single week. On Wednesday, a different court sentenced former leader Martín Vizcarra to 14 years in prison after finding him guilty of taking bribes during his earlier tenure as a regional governor.
Castillo's rise to power in 2021 represented a historic moment for Peru, as he became the first president from a poor farming background, promising to champion the nation's marginalised communities. His administration began with no political experience, creating immediate challenges.
Following Castillo's removal from office, Vice President Dina Boluarte assumed power but faced her own political turmoil. Her deeply unpopular government, grappling with a national crime wave, culminated in her removal from office in October. The current president is José Jerí, previously the Congress leader.
