Peru - October 2022

Peru’s chief prosecutor presented Congress a constitutional complaint against President Pedro Castillo for corruption-related offences; it is the first time a sitting president faces a constitutional complaint, a procedure that allows officials with immunity to face accusations for certain offences. Some experts have pointed out that the constitution only permits a sitting president to be charged with specific crimes such as treason.  

In response, Castillo has argued that such an investigation amounts to a “new modality of a coup”. He requested the Organization of American States (OAS) to implement the Inter-American Democratic Charter which states, among other provisions, that in cases of risk to legitimate exercise of power, member states can request assistance from the OAS to preserve their democratic system. On 20 October the OAS’s Permanent Council adopted a resolution in which a high-level group was appointed to visit Peru and analyse the situation.

Sources: Al Jazeera, DW, El Pais, France 24, Noticia al Dia, Notimerica