Peru hands down sentence to former President Pedro Castillo following another presidential conviction in just one day

In an unprecedented judicial sequence over two days, the Peruvian Supreme Court sentenced ex-President Pedro Castillo to over 11 years behind bars for attempting to dissolve Congress. This decision came just a day after former President Martn Vizcarra received a 14-year sentence for bribery.

The special session, held at Limas Barbadillo Prison, concluded with a two-to-one vote finding Castillo guilty of trying to dissolve Congress and assume extraordinary powers in 2022. The back-to-back convictions mark a historic moment in Peruvian politics.

These rulings add Castillo and Vizcarra to the long list of former Peruvian leaders investigated or convicted since the early 2000s. The country has seen seven presidents in as many years, most facing charges of corruption or abuse of power. Past cases include Alberto Fujimori, sentenced to 25 years; Alejandro Toledo, 33 years; Ollanta Humala, 15 years; and Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, who served three years under house arrest.

Castillo had been in pre-trial detention since December 7, 2022, after announcing on national television his intention to dissolve Congress, govern by decree, restructure the judiciary, and convene a Constituent Assembly. His statement sparked nationwide protests that resulted in approximately 50 deaths. Prosecutors initially charged him with rebellion, seeking a 34-year sentence, but the court ruled that the act of rebellion was not completed and convicted him instead of conspiracy, which carries a lighter sentence.

The court concluded Castillo attempted to seize power unlawfully and dissolve Congress without fulfilling constitutional requirements. Castillo has consistently claimed his statements were political commentary and not an official directive. The court noted his attempt to reach the Mexican Embassy in Lima following his announcement, a claim he denies, stating he merely went to drop off his family and did not seek asylum. The three years he has already spent in detention will be credited toward his sentence.

Several former Castillo officials also received sentences. Betssy Chvez, former president of the Council of Ministers, and Anbal Torres, former chief of cabinet advisers, were included, while former interior minister Willy Huerta received a suspended sentence. Castillo maintained that his ministers were unaware of his 2022 plans and took full responsibility himself.

The day before Castillos sentencing, Martn Vizcarra was sentenced to 14 years in prison for accepting bribes from contractors in exchange for public works during his tenure as governor of Moquegua between 2011 and 2014. Vizcarra, president from 2018 to 2020, denied the allegations. He also faces a nine-year ban from public office.

Previously impeached over this case in 2020, Vizcarra may return to Barbadillo Prison, joining former leaders such as Castillo, Toledo, and Humala. His political trajectory includes a disqualification from Congress for ten years following the "Vacunagate" scandal, where several officials, including Vizcarra, received early, irregular COVID-19 vaccinations. His replacement in Congress, Jos Jer, assumed the presidency after Dina Boluartes recent removal.

Analysis: The Ongoing Cycle of Political Instability in Peru

The recent sentencing of former President Pedro Castillo to over 11 years in prison, coupled with the 14-year sentence handed down to ex-President Martín Vizcarra, underscores the ongoing instability in Peru’s political landscape. These rulings add to the growing list of former leaders convicted of corruption and abuse of power, highlighting a deep-seated issue that has plagued the country for decades. Castillo’s conviction for attempting to dissolve Congress and assume extraordinary powers, combined with Vizcarra’s sentence for bribery, paints a grim picture of Peruvian governance.

Peru’s history of political upheaval, where presidents frequently face legal challenges, raises serious questions about the integrity of the nation’s political system. Since the early 2000s, the country has seen multiple leaders face corruption charges, with some even imprisoned for extended periods. The cycle of corruption, scandal, and the constant turnover of leadership, with seven presidents in just as many years, points to a systemic problem rather than isolated incidents.

These recent developments reflect a broader trend of power struggles, where presidents appear more focused on personal survival and political maneuvering than on effective governance. Castillo’s attempt to dissolve Congress and his subsequent conviction for conspiracy is an alarming sign of the lengths some leaders will go to retain power. Meanwhile, Vizcarra’s legal troubles serve as a reminder of the perils of corruption, a practice that seems deeply embedded within Peru’s political system.

Ultimately, these cases serve as a stark reminder that political leaders in Peru, regardless of their position, are not immune to the law. However, they also raise the question of whether the country’s political system can ever break free from this cycle of corruption and instability. As more leaders face charges, the public’s trust in the political class continues to erode, further complicating the nation’s already fragile political climate.

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• Peru sentences former President Pedro Castillo just a day after another presidential conviction