Peru’s Castillo Gets 18-Month Detention as Protests Continue

Carolina Gonzalez and Stephan Kueffner
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(Bloomberg) -- Peru’s ousted President Pedro Castillo was ordered to remain in custody for 18 months amid nationwide protests demanding his release and new presidential elections.

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Judge Juan Carlos Checkley Soria, member of an investigative court under the country’s high court, on Thursday ordered Castillo detained until June 2024 while he’s investigated for the alleged crimes of rebellion and conspiracy against the state and the constitutional order.

The leftist leader, who was impeached Dec. 7 after trying to dissolve congress, faces between 10 and 20 years in prison if found guilty.

Castillo’s defense said it will appeal the decision. Judge Checkley Soria ruled that former Prime Minister Anibal Torres, investigated in the same case, should appear before the court regularly and remain within the Lima metropolitan area. Torres should also pay a guarantee of 20,000 soles ($5,204).

Read More: Peru to Declare 30-Day Emergency as Violent Unrest Spreads

Castillo’s ousting set off violent protests that haven’t abated even after authorities declared a state of emergency in the Andean nation, suspending basic rights for 30 days. Widespread unrest is causing mounting economic damage and President Dina Boluarte, who was sworn in last week after her predecessor was impeached, has yet to establish her authority.

As a concession to protesters, Boluarte pledged to hold fresh elections as early as December 2023, cutting short a term that goes until 2026. Congress is set to continue debating her proposal on Friday.

Read More: Latin America’s Political Divisions Widen Over Peru Tensions

(Updates with context throughout the story.)

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