• Dina Boluarte was sworn in as Peru’s sixth president in under five years.
• Her predecessor Pedro Castillo was impeached and imprisoned for rebellion.
• The ceremony took place hours after 101 lawmakers voted to impeach Castillo.

Dina Boluarte became Peru’s first female president on Wednesday, after her predecessor was impeached and imprisoned for rebellion.

Boluarte was sworn in as Peru’s sixth president in under five years.

The ceremony took place hours after 101 lawmakers voted to impeach Pedro Castillo.

Former President Castillo announced preparations to dissolve Congress and form an emergency administration ahead of an impeachment vote by MPs, which Peru’s Ombudsman called a “attempted coup d’état.”

He asked for new constitutional elections.

The decision caused cabinet resignations, angry responses from top officials, and condemnation from regional neighbors, but failed to prevent his impeachment in Congress.

Castillo’s attempt to sideline lawmakers was rejected as a “constitutional violation”

Boluarte herself condemned Castillo’s dissolution plan, calling it “a coup that exacerbates Peru’s political and institutional crises”

US Ambassador in Peru Lisa Kenna urged Castillo to “reverse” the move and “enable Peru’s democratic institutions to work according to the Constitution”

US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said, “We will continue to criticize any acts that defy Peru’s constitution or undermine democracy in that nation.”

Argentina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed “great worry” over Peru’s political situation on Twitter, and Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed

Castillo’s actions violated democracy and the rule of law.

Police in Lima arrested Castillo after Congress impeached him.

Since the socialist leader’s inauguration, scores of ministers have been appointed, replaced, dismissed, or resigned, further pressuring him.

Castillo blasted the opposition for trying to oust him on day one. He accuses Benavides of organizing a “coup d’état” through her investigations.

Benavides sued Castillo in October on three of her six probes. The complaint lets Congress investigate the ex-president.

Castillo has being investigated for allegedly using his position to benefit himself, his family, and his supporters by peddling influence to seek favour or special treatment.

Castillo has refuted all charges and said he’s eager to assist. He says the claims are a witch-hunt by groups that didn’t recognize his electoral win.

The former president faces five preliminary criminal investigations on corruption charges. Prosecutors allege he managed a “criminal network” that manipulated governmental institutions like the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Ministry of Housing, and Peru’s state-run oil firm to benefit specific companies and associates.

Prosecutors are also looking into whether the previous president influenced promotions in the military and police.

Castillo’s wife and sister-in-law are also investigated. Lilia Paredes is suspected of organizing a criminal network. Her attorney, Benji Espinoza, has argued her inquiry has “flaws and omissions.”

Yenifer Paredes is under investigation for alleged criminal organization, money laundering, and aggravated cooperation. Judge cancelled her 30-month “preventive detention” She denies wrongdoing.

Castillo said in a televised speech from the Presidential Palace on October 20: “My daughter, my wife, and my entire family have been assaulted to ruin me because they don’t want me to fulfil my term.”

Castillo said in the same speech, “If they betrayed my trust, let justice take care of them.”

Congress dropped President Boluarte’s constitutional investigation on December 5.

Her rise may not improve Peru’s caustic and resentful political scene since she needs cross-party support to govern.

Many Peruvians want a reset. 60% of Peruvians backed early elections in September 2022 to renew the presidency and Congress, according to a poll (IEP).

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