CNN
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Peru’s new president, Dina Boluarte, has ruled out early elections on Thursday, her first day in office following the dramatic ouster and arrest of her predecessor Pedro Castillo.
Bolarte was sworn in as Peru’s first female president on Wednesday. In his battle for political survival, Mr Castillo dissolved Congress earlier in the day and sought early elections ahead of his third impeachment vote against him.
Peruvian lawmakers described the move as a coup, with a majority of the 130-member parliament voting Wednesday to impeach Castillo.The former president was later arrested on treason charges, according to the country’s attorney general.
CNN has reached out to Castillo’s legal team for comment on the allegations.
At a virtual hearing on Thursday when Peru’s Supreme Court reviewed the prosecutor’s arrest request, Castillo’s defense denied allegations of mutiny and conspiracy against the president.
Prosecutor Marco Huaman also said the public ministry deemed Castillo a fugitive risk, claiming he was traveling with his family to the Mexican embassy when he was arrested Wednesday. rice field.
Castillo’s defense has dismissed the charges and rejected suggestions that Castillo attempted to flee the country.
The court ordered Castillo to be held in custody by police for seven days, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
Since Wednesday’s turbulent series of events, political parties and analysts have clamored for early elections as a way to fix Peru’s political dysfunction, which has seen six presidents in less than five years.
But Boruarte said Thursday she needs time.
“There are voices suggesting early elections, and I know that is democratically honorable. I think it’s a diversion,” Boruarte told journalists on Thursday, adding that she would later “consider alternatives to better redirect the country’s destination.” ”
Her dominance will not necessarily ease Peru’s toxic and resentful political climate, as Boluarte needs to gain support among political parties in order to be able to rule.
A September poll by the Institute of Peru (IEP) found that many Peruvians want changes to the Political Guard, with 60% of those surveyed calling for early elections to revamp both the presidency and parliament. I know you support it.
In his first speech as president on Wednesday, Bolarte called for a “political ceasefire to install a government of national unity” and said he would fight corruption with the support of the country’s Attorney General’s Office and the Comptroller’s Office.
“My first job is to fight corruption in all its forms,” Boruarte said. “I have watched with disgust the media and the judiciary report on the shameful act of robbery of all Peruvian money. This cancer must be eradicated.”
Her predecessor Castillo, among other claims, used her position to benefit herself, her family, and her closest allies by pitching her influence to gain support and preferential treatment. I was plagued by multiple investigations as to whether or not I did.
Castillo has repeatedly denied all allegations and reiterated his willingness to cooperate with the investigation. It claims to be the result of hunting.
His arrest marks a humiliating depression in Castillo’s short political career. A former schoolteacher and union leader, he rose from obscurity to be elected by a narrow margin in a runoff vote in July 2021. He was seen as part of the “pink tide” of new left-wing leaders in Latin America.
He ran for a platform promising to increase the redistribution of wealth by rewriting the constitution and giving the state greater control over markets and natural resources. The lack of public opinion, and the promises he struggled to deliver amid strong conservative opposition in Congress.