(Bogotá) The leftist governments of Mexico, Argentina, Colombia and Bolivia have thrown their support behind deposed Peruvian President Pedro Castillo, as demonstrations of support for the ousted president continue in Peru.
“President Castillo Terrones, since the day of his election, has been the victim of a hostile, antidemocratic movement in violation of the American Convention on Human Rights,” says a statement signed by the four countries, and made public on Monday by the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The former Peruvian president, elected in 2021, was arrested last week on court orders for rebellion and conspiracy, after a failed attempt to dissolve his country’s parliament.
“We urge all those involved in the institutions to refrain from questioning the popular will expressed during a free election”, add these countries.
A teacher of rural origin, Mr. Castillo governed for less than a year and a half, a period marked by a deep political crisis.
He was arrested by his bodyguard on his way to the Mexican embassy to seek political asylum.
The Peruvian Congress, with a majority on the right, approved a motion allowing to shorten the deadlines for trying him criminally.
The former president is “subject to judicial treatment […] which violates” the American Convention on Human Rights, further indicate the four signatory countries.
Vice-President Dina Boluarte replaced him as head of state, but she is now facing numerous demonstrations of support for the former president, who have already left at least four people dead.
A plan by the new government to bring forward the date of general elections to 2024 instead of 2026 did not deter protesters. They demand the “immediate release” of Mr. Castillo and the closure of Congress.