Peru declares national state of emergency

Peru has declared a nationwide state of emergency amid a week of protests and political unrest following the ousting and arrest of former President Pedro Castillo.

Peruvian Defense Minister Alberto Otarola announced the new 30-day measure, which he said involves “the suspension of freedom of movement and assembly” and may include a curfew, on Wednesday due to “acts of vandalism and violence,” including roadblocks.

“The National Police, with the support of the Armed Forces, will guarantee control throughout the national territory of personal property and, above all, of strategic infrastructure and the security and well-being of all Peruvians,” the minister said.

The move came as a judge ordered Castillo to remain in prison on charges of “rebellion” and “conspiracy” for another 48 hours before a release hearing.

(Peru: Since yesterday, armed forces have been mobilized in emergency zones.)

Castillo’s supporters have taken to the streets across the South American country to demand the release of the leftist leader, as well as new elections and the ousting of his successor, former Vice President Dina Boluarte.

The crisis began last week when Castillo, a former rural teacher and union leader who took office in July of last year, announced plans to dissolve Peru’s Congress and rule by decree.

The move was widely denounced as unconstitutional and led the opposition-led legislature last Wednesday to vote overwhelmingly in favor of removing him in the third attempt at impeachment.

Boluarte was sworn in shortly afterward as Peru’s first female president, and Castillo was detained and transferred to a police prison near the capital, Lima, where he is still being held.

Peruvian prosecutors said this week that they are asking for 18 months of pre-trial detention for Castillo, who has rejected the charges against him and said he is being “detained unjustly and arbitrarily.”

Peru’s Supreme Court met to consider the prosecution’s request on Wednesday but later adjourned the session until Thursday.

Castillo urged supporters to appear Wednesday afternoon at the police facility where he is being held, arguing that he should be released after an initial seven-day period of preliminary detention that expires at the end of the day.

He also urged the Inter-American Court of Human Rights to intercede on his behalf.

“Enough is enough! The outrage, humiliation, and mistreatment continue. Today they restrict my freedom again with 18 months of pre-trial detention,” he wrote in a message posted on Twitter. “I hold judges and prosecutors accountable for what happens in the country.”