Asylum to Peru’s former President Pedro Castillo. He was impeached, then accused of rebellion.
Castillo (53 years old) is currently in Lima custody. A lawyer has sent his asylum request to Mexico’s president.
According to Marcelo Ebrard, Mexican Foreign Minister, the two countries are currently discussing the matter.
After trying to disintegrate Congress, Castillo was forced out of office.
Facing an impeachment vote, Mr Castillo announced he was dissolving the opposition-controlled legislative body.
However, Congress voted in overwhelming support of him and he was forced to resign. His bodyguards prevented him from fleeing the Mexican Embassy in Lima.
Just hours later, Congress elected Dina Boluarte (60-year-old), as his vice-president.
Castillo’s lawyer asked him to consider granting asylum in light of the “unfounded persecution of justice institutions” in a late Wednesday letter to Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Mexican President.
The letter stated that they intend to prosecute him “for mere announcements of intent or will that do not constitute any crime,”
According to Mr Ebrard the Peruvian ambassador from Mexico, Pablo Monroy, met Mr Castillo at Lima.
He said that Castillo was physically fit and in the company his lawyer.
Ms. Boluarte was Mr Castillo’s running mate in 2021. On Wednesday, he attempted to dissolve Congress. She quickly distanced himself from him, calling it an “attempted coup”.
After being sworn-in, she called for Peruvians’ unity and requested a “truce” so that she could fight corruption.
Even Peru’s standards were not kind to Mr Castillo’s presidency. Peru had three presidents in five days in 2020.
In June 2021, the left-leaning former school teacher narrowly defeated his right-wing rival Keiko Yamamori to the presidency.
Castillo, who had little political experience and was facing hostile Congress, quickly became out of his depth.
He had five prime ministers during his 18-month tenure. His cabinet was constantly in flux.
Castillo also claimed that he was subject to corruption allegations during his time in office.
