Ex-President of Peru Pedro Castillo receives 11.5-year prison sentence

A Peruvian court has handed down an 11-year, five-month, and 15-day prison sentence to ex-President Pedro Castillo for attempting to dissolve the nations Congress. The ruling was issued on Thursday, nearly three years after Castillos December 7, 2022 attempt to disband the legislature amid his third impeachment proceedings. Earlier efforts to remove him from office had failed.

Following a televised announcement declaring a state of emergency and the suspension of Congress, lawmakers quickly voted to remove him, leading to his immediate arrest. Castillo, who previously worked as a teacher and union leader, faced charges of rebellion and conspiracy against the state, with critics describing his actions as an attempted self-coup.

Known as a left-leaning and socially conservative politician from Perus northern rural regions, Castillo confronted a potential sentence of up to 34 years. Prosecutors argued that his actions threatened the countrys Constitution, though Castillo denied the allegations at trial, asserting that his televised reading in 2022 was simply a document without consequence.

Castillo is among several recent Peruvian presidents to face legal scrutiny, in a nation that has seen eight presidents in the last decade. After his unexpected victory in the 2021 election, Castillo, 56, was celebrated as the first president of the poor, reflecting his working-class background from the northern city of Puna. Prior to this, he had never held elected office. His 16-month presidency was marked by frequent ministerial reshuffles and conflicts with Congress, which was dominated by opposition lawmakers.

His 2022 arrest triggered backlash among Indigenous communities and rural supporters, resulting in road blockades, especially in southern Peru. These events ignited prolonged national protests. Castillos successor, former Vice President Dina Boluarte, responded with a forceful crackdown that left at least 50 dead, prompting criticism from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights for disproportionate, indiscriminate and lethal use of force. Boluarte was later impeached in October over rising crime concerns and alleged misconduct, and was succeeded by right-wing politician Jose Jeri, the former head of Congress.

The sentence concludes a nine-month trial marked by international tensions. During proceedings, Mexico granted asylum to Castillos former prime minister, Betssy Chavel, who faced related charges, prompting Peru to declare Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum persona non grata. Castillo has not been allowed house arrest and is expected to join other former presidents at Barbadillo Prison in Lima, a facility within a police academy designed for high-profile inmates facing safety risks.

Other notable detainees at Barbadillo include Ollanta Humala, president from 2011 to 2016, sentenced this year to 15 years for money laundering; Alejandro Toledo, who led the country from 2001 to 2006 and received a 20-year sentence for bribery; and Martin Vizcarra, recently sentenced to 14 years for bribery, who was also transferred to the prison this week.

Analysis: Pedro Castillo's Conviction and the Political Landscape of Peru

The 11-year, five-month, and 15-day prison sentence handed down to former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo represents a pivotal moment in the nation's political history. This ruling stems from his dramatic attempt to dissolve Congress in December 2022, an act that many perceive as an attempted "self-coup." Castillo’s actions, which followed years of political instability and tensions with Congress, culminated in his removal from office and immediate arrest. His sentencing underscores the legal and political repercussions of defying constitutional norms in Peru, a country that has witnessed frequent political turmoil in recent years.

Castillo's brief presidency was marked by instability, with frequent ministerial reshuffles and conflicts with Congress, which hindered his ability to govern effectively. His attempted dissolution of Congress was seen as a desperate measure to retain power amid an impeachment process. Despite his claim that the state of emergency declaration was merely "a document without consequence," the legal system has held him accountable for what is viewed as an unconstitutional and unlawful act.

The political context in Peru is crucial in understanding Castillo's actions and the subsequent backlash. The country has seen a rapid turnover of leaders in the past decade, with eight presidents serving in that period. Castillo's own presidency was initially hailed as a victory for the working class, yet it became quickly evident that the political landscape was not conducive to his leadership. His arrest, and the violent protests that followed, further revealed the deep divisions between rural and urban areas, Indigenous communities, and the government. These protests, met with a harsh crackdown by Dina Boluarte’s administration, resulted in significant casualties and international condemnation.

The sentence marks the culmination of a trial that has captured international attention, particularly due to Mexico’s involvement in granting asylum to Castillo's former prime minister, Betssy Chavel, and the resulting diplomatic fallout. As Castillo now faces his sentence in Barbadillo Prison, alongside other former leaders who have been embroiled in corruption scandals, the political implications of his trial extend beyond his personal fate. It raises questions about the effectiveness of Peru's political system and whether its institutions can restore stability or continue to be marred by corruption and unrest.

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• Former Peru President Pedro Castillo sentenced to 11.5 years in prison