Peru Roundup: Fujimori, Castillo, Boluarte, Justice
Fujimori released from prison
Former President Alberto Fujimori, aged 85, has been released from prison. The Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) had earlier requested the move be blocked. In 2009, Fujimori was sentenced to 25 years in prison for human rights abuses committed during his decade-long rule in the 1990s. The Public Prosecutor's Office requests 18 months of house arrest, La Razón reports.
One year since the fall of Pedro Castillo
On December 7, 2022, one year ago, former President Pedro Castillo dissolved Congress, decreed an emergency government, and implemented a nationwide curfew. Despite criticism, his lawyers and supporters still refuse to call it a self-coup attempt. Castillo was under investigation for corruption, faced low approval ratings, and is currently incarcerated.
Dina Boluarte marks one year in power
A year ago, Dina Boluarte became Peru's first female president. But twelve months later, citizen support is low. According to the latest ‘Opinión Pública’ studies conducted by the polling firm ‘Datum’, approval for the President has dropped from 16% in February to 11% in November. In Lima, only 13% of respondents approved of her administration, El Comercio reports.
Peru’s Attorney General suspended for six months
The National Board of Justice (JNJ) has suspended Patricia Benavides, Peru’s Attorney General, for six months as part of the ongoing disciplinary process against her. Benavides is under investigation for allegedly leading a criminal network and for removing Prosecutor Marita Barreto from the leadership of the special team investigating that case. Hours earlier, Benavides left the JNJ hearing where her defence against the six-month suspension request was supposed to be heard, as reported by El Comercio.
Wanda del Valle captured in Colombia
Wanda del Valle, the partner of the slain Venezuelan hitman Christopher Joseph Fuentes Gonzales, has been apprehended in Colombia. Del Valle is accused of being part of the criminal gang 'Tren de Aragua' and of offering $40,000 to assassinate Colonel Víctor Revoredo, the head of the Homicide Investigation Division of the Peruvian National Police. Peru hopes for a swift extradition, according to El Comercio.
