Spanish
Lima.- Former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo (2021-2022) insisted this Friday that he still remains the constitutional president of the Andean country, warning that he was removed in an "unconstitutional" manner after staging a failed coup attempt in December 2022.
In his defense statement before the subcommittee of the Constitutional Accusations of Congress, which deals with a lawsuit to politically disqualify him and prevent him from being a candidate in the upcoming 2026 elections, Castillo criticized the parliamentarians for their obstructionist behavior towards his Government and their low acceptance among Peruvians, which barely reaches 5%.You may be interested in: http://EE.UU. sanciona a Petro
"Today I stand before a totally delegitimized Congress, before a Congress that has no shame, nor morals, nor politics, nor any space either in the street or within its own steps," Castillo pointed out from Barbadillo, the prison reserved for former presidents of Peru, where he has been held since December 7, 2022. That day, Castillo gave a message to the nation where he announced the closure of Parliament in the face of the possibility that the Legislative would promote a motion of vacancy (presidential dismissal) that same day after evidence of corruption came to light that pointed directly to the president. However, the former president did not have the support of the Police and the Armed Forces, so he was arrested when he was apparently heading to the Mexican Embassy to take refuge with his family, while Congress convened an urgent plenary session to vote ipso facto for his dismissal. Hours later, Congress removed Castillo with 101 votes and without giving him a chance to defend himself, an insufficient number to have proceeded with the removal on the same day, since 104 votes were required for that, equivalent to four-fifths of the chamber, as happened recently with his successor, Dina Boluarte, who was removed from office with 123 votes and with the option of defense two weeks ago. "They removed their puppet Boluarte with more than 104 votes, they couldn't do that to me. That's why I remain the constitutional president of the Republic, kidnapped in Barbadillo. That's why I address the Peruvian people: no more parties like these, no more mediocre congressmen," Castillo pointed out. "As a result of the coup caused by this Congress, today the people not only take to the streets, but also demand my freedom and reinstatement," he added, criticizing the parliamentarians who allowed the acting president of the country to be arrested without having been previously removed from office. The leftist emphasized the low acceptance of the group of right-wing parties that controls the Peruvian Congress. "They have me here (in prison) because I did not agree to sign their roadmap," Castillo asserted. "Today they want to limit me because no one receives them in any square. They are repudiated. I challenge each of you to walk down any street. They can disqualify me, but by doing that they will have their own answers from the people. Politically, this de facto Government and this Congress have piled up stones for their own grave," he added. Castillo emphasized his innocence before the trial where the Prosecution is seeking a 35-year prison sentence against him for rebellion, although the court is evaluating changing the type of charge in the middle of the process to conspiracy, considering that rebellion does not apply in the case of the former governor. The leftist concluded his argument by pointing out that he is "on the right side of history" and that he "will not end up with a person who wants to take away their rights (to the congressmen)," among whom he called "trash" the Fujimorist Fernando Rospigliosi, who currently holds the Presidency of the Legislative, and who responded to him on social media with laughing emoticons.
