View source for Peruvian political crisis (2016–present)

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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}

{{Infobox civil conflict
| title = Peruvian political crisis
| partof = 
| image = 
| caption =
| date = 2016 – present
| place = [[Peru]]
| coordinates  = 
| causes = * [[Obstructionism]] by [[Fujimorists]] and the [[Congress of Peru]]
* Efforts by presidents to reform political structure
* [[Corruption in Peru]]
* [[Constitution of Peru#Proposed reform|Proposed constitutional reform]]
| goals = 
| methods = 
| status = Ongoing
* Impeachment of presidents [[Martín Vizcarra]], and [[Pedro Castillo]]
* Resignations of [[Pedro Pablo Kuczynski]] and [[Manuel Merino]]
* [[Peruvian protests (2022–2023)|Protests]] against the [[Presidency of Dina Boluarte|government]] of [[Dina Boluarte]]
* [[Pardon of Alberto Fujimori]]
* [[Democratic backsliding by country#Peru|Democratic backsliding]]
| result = 
| side1 = [[Government of Peru|'''Government''']]:
* Government of [[Pedro Pablo Kuczynski]] <small>(15 Sep 2017 – 21 Mar 2018)</small>
* Government of [[Martín Vizcarra]] <small>(23 Mar 2018 – 9 Nov 2020)</small>
* Government of [[Francisco Sagasti]] {{small|(16 Nov 2020 – 28 Jul 2021)}}
'''Supporting parties:'''
* [[Purple Party]]
** [[Citizen Force (Peru)|Citizen Force]]
* [[Peruvians for Change]]
* [[Contigo (political party)|Contigo]]
* [[National Victory]]
* [[Broad Front (Peru)|Broad Front]] {{small|(at times)}}
* [[Peruvian Nationalist Party]] <small>(2020)</small><ref>{{cite web |url=https://wapa.pe/mujer/1592926-vacancia-martin-vizcarra-ollanta-humala-afirma-insensatez-pretender-vacar-presidente-actualidad-video |title=Ollanta Humala sobre vacancia contra Martín Vizcarra: 'Es una insensatez' |trans-title=Ollanta Humala on vacancy against Martín Vizcarra: "It is nonsense" |author=Jimena Ripalda |website=wapa.pe |date=9 November 2020 |access-date=10 November 2020 |archive-date=16 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116210704/https://wapa.pe/mujer/1592926-vacancia-martin-vizcarra-ollanta-humala-afirma-insensatez-pretender-vacar-presidente-actualidad-video |url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Cambio 21 (political party)|Kenji Fujimori-led Fujimorists]] <small>(2018–2019)</small>
| side1a = * Government of [[Pedro Castillo]] <small>(28 Jul 2021 – 7 Dec 2022)</small>
'''Supporting parties:'''
* [[Free Peru]]
** [[Democratic Peru]]
** [[Magisterial Bloc of National Concertation|BMCN]]
** [[Bicentennial Peru]]
* [[Together for Peru]]
** [[New Peru]]
** [[Peruvian Humanist Party|Humanist Party]]
** [[Peruvian Communist Party]]
* [[Ethnocacerism|Ethnocacerist Movement]]
** [[Union for Peru]]
** [[Peruvian Nationalist Party]]
* [[Broad Front (Peru)|Broad Front]]
* [[Communist Party of Peru – Red Fatherland|Red Fatherland]]
* [[Peruvian Communist Party (Marxist–Leninist)]]
* [[Direct Democracy (Peru)|Direct Democracy]]
* [[Purple Party]] (2021–2022)
** [[Citizen Force (Peru)|Citizen Force]]
** [[We Are Peru – Purple Party]] (2021)
----
* [[No to Keiko]]
* [[Rondas campesinas]]
* Labor workers<ref name="Reuters-2020">{{cite news|date=2020-12-02|title=Ministro peruano renuncia al gobierno interino tras cambio en la cúpula policial|language=es|work=[[Reuters]]|url=https://es.reuters.com/article/politica-peru-ministro-idESKBN28C37L|access-date=2020-12-03}} {{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Flores|first=José|date=2020-12-02|title=Ica: Protestas de trabajadores agrarios llegan a su tercer día con bloqueos y diálogo frustrado con el Gobierno|url=https://rpp.pe/peru/actualidad/ica-protestas-de-trabajadores-agrarios-llegan-a-su-tercer-dia-con-bloqueos-y-dialogo-frustrado-con-el-gobierno-noticia-1307396|access-date=2020-12-03|website=[[RPP (Peru)]]|language=es|archive-date=28 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428121238/https://rpp.pe/peru/actualidad/ica-protestas-de-trabajadores-agrarios-llegan-a-su-tercer-dia-con-bloqueos-y-dialogo-frustrado-con-el-gobierno-noticia-1307396|url-status=live}}</ref>
| side2 = [[Congress of the Republic of Peru|'''Congress''']]
* Directive board led by [[Luis Galarreta]] 
* Directive board led by [[Daniel Salaverry]]
* Directive board led by [[Pedro Olaechea]]
* Directive board led by [[Manuel Merino]]
** Government of Manuel Merino <small>(9–16 Nov 2020)</small>
'''Supporting parties:'''
* [[Popular Force]]
* [[American Popular Revolutionary Alliance|APRA]]
* [[Popular Action (Peru)|Popular Action]] {{small|(main factions)}}
* [[Agricultural People's Front of Peru|FREPAP]]
* [[Alliance for Progress (Peru)|Alliance for Progress]]
* [[Peru Secure Homeland]]
* [[Podemos Perú|We Can Peru]]
* [[Union for Peru]] {{small|(2019–2020)}}<ref name="Burt">{{cite web|last=Burt|first=Jo-Marie|date=17 September 2020|title=Vizcarra May Survive. But Peru's Politics Look Fragile.|url=https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/vizcarra-may-survive-but-perus-politics-look-fragile/|access-date=2020-09-17|website=[[Americas Quarterly]]|language=en-US|archive-date=24 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124034128/https://americasquarterly.org/article/vizcarra-may-survive-but-perus-politics-look-fragile/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Peruvians for Change]] {{small|(post-Kuczynski's resignation)}}
| side2a = * Directive board led by [[Maricarmen Alva]] <small>(26 Jul 2021 – 26 Jul 2022)</small>
* Directive board led by [[Lady Camones]] <small>(26 Jul – 5 Sep 2022)</small>
* Directive board led by [[Martha Moyano]] (interim) <small>(5–12 Sep 2022)</small>
* Directive board led by [[José Williams]] <small>(12 Sep 2022 – present)</small>
* Government of [[Dina Boluarte]] <small>(7 Dec 2022 – present)</small>
'''Supporting parties:'''
* [[Popular Force]]
* [[Popular Renewal]]
* [[Advance Country]]
* [[Alliance for Progress (Peru)|Alliance for Progress]]
* [[Popular Action (Peru)|Popular Action]]
* [[Christian People's Party (Peru)|Christian People's Party]]
* [[Peru Secure Homeland]]
* [[American Popular Revolutionary Alliance|APRA]]<ref>{{cite news |date=13 October 2022 |url=https://elcomercio.pe/lima/pedro-castillo-simpatizantes-del-apra-protestan-frente-a-palacio-de-gobierno-para-exigir-renuncia-del-presidente-video-alan-garcia-partido-aprista-peruano-patricia-benavides-rmmn-noticia/ |title=Pedro Castillo: simpatizantes del APRA protestan frente a Palacio de Gobierno para exigir renuncia del presidente |newspaper=El Comercio |access-date=20 December 2022 |archive-date=20 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221220094328/https://elcomercio.pe/lima/pedro-castillo-simpatizantes-del-apra-protestan-frente-a-palacio-de-gobierno-para-exigir-renuncia-del-presidente-video-alan-garcia-partido-aprista-peruano-patricia-benavides-rmmn-noticia/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Peru First]] {{small|(2022-present)}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.elperuano.pe/noticia/198714-rosa-gutierrez-palomino-es-designada-nueva-ministra-de-salud |title=Rosa Gutiérrez Palomino es designada nueva ministra de Salud |access-date=18 December 2022 |date=10 December 2022 |website=El Peruano |language= es-pe}}</ref>
----
*[[Constitutional Court of Peru]]
*Political elite{{sfn|Asensio|Camacho|González|Grompone|2021|pp=27–71}}
*[[Media of Peru]]{{sfn|Asensio|Camacho|González|Grompone|2021|pp=64–65}}<ref name="The Guardian-2021">{{cite web|date=20 June 2021|title=Peru: Fujimori cries electoral fraud – and unleashes torrent of racism|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/20/peru-elite-election-pedro-castillo-keiko-fujimori|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622045604/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/20/peru-elite-election-pedro-castillo-keiko-fujimori|archive-date=22 June 2021|access-date=22 June 2021|website=[[The Guardian]]|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Migus|first=Romain|date=2021-09-01|title=Can Pedro Castillo unite Peru?|url=https://mondediplo.com/2021/09/11peru|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-15|website=[[Le Monde diplomatique]]|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831083423/https://mondediplo.com/2021/09/11peru |archive-date=31 August 2021}}</ref>
*[[La Resistencia Dios, Patria y Familia]]<ref>{{cite web |last=Spicer |first=Sarah |date=22 February 2023 |title=Protesters surround homes of Peruvian journalists Gustavo Gorriti and Rosa María Palacios |url=https://cpj.org/2023/02/protesters-surround-homes-of-peruvian-journalists-gustavo-gorriti-and-rosa-maria-palacios/ |access-date=21 May 2023 |website=[[Committee to Protect Journalists]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=20 May 2023 |title='La Pestilencia' por dentro |language=es |work=[[IDL-Reporteros]] |url=https://www.idl-reporteros.pe/la-pestilencia-por-dentro-2/ |access-date=21 May 2023}}</ref>
| leadfigures1 = 
* [[Pedro Pablo Kuczynski]]
* [[Martín Vizcarra]]
* [[Francisco Sagasti]]
----
* [[Pedro Castillo]]
| leadfigures2 =
* [[Keiko Fujimori]]
* [[Manuel Merino]]
----
* [[Dina Boluarte]]
* [[Rafael López Aliaga]]
| leadfigures3 = 
| notes = 
| sidebox =
}}
{{Peruvian political crisis short}}
{{Politics of Peru}}
{{History of Peru}}
Since 2016, [[Peru]] has been plagued with political instability and a growing crisis, initially between the [[President of Peru|President]], [[Pedro Pablo Kuczynski]] and [[Congress of Peru|Congress]], led ''[[de facto]]'' by [[Keiko Fujimori]].{{sfn|Calderón|2022|pp=17}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/ppk-voto-confianza-ver-eventual-indulto-alberto-fujimori-noticia-465475|title=PPK rechaza relación entre voto de confianza e indulto a Fujimori|trans-title=PPK rejects relationship between vote of confidence and pardon to Fujimori|newspaper=[[El Comercio (Peru)|El Comercio]]|author=Gino Alva Olivera|date=14 October 2017|access-date=3 June 2019|language=es|archive-date=19 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619063239/https://elcomercio.pe/politica/ppk-voto-confianza-ver-eventual-indulto-alberto-fujimori-noticia-465475|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/19/americas/peru-protests-economy-democracy-intl-latam/index.html|title=Peru's crisis is a cautionary tale for democracies |last=Pozzebon|first=Stefano|work=[[CNN]]|access-date=1 April 2023|date=23 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/23576393/peru-political-crisis-castillo-boluarte-elections-congress|title=How years of instability came to a head in Peru|quote=Peruvian protests — and the government's response — are “a monster eating itself,” one expert told Vox.|work=Vox|date=29 January 2023 |access-date=1 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Jacqueline Fowks |date=16 September 2017 |title=Perú afronta una nueva crisis tras la censura al Gobierno |language=es |trans-title=Peru faces a new crisis after government censorship |newspaper=El País |url=https://elpais.com/internacional/2017/09/15/america/1505509701_416199.html |url-status=live |access-date=19 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721220136/https://elpais.com/internacional/2017/09/15/america/1505509701_416199.html |archive-date=21 July 2020}}</ref> The crisis emerged in late 2016 and early 2017 as the polarization of Peruvian politics increased, as well as a growing schism between the executive and legislative branches of government.<ref name="Foreign Policy">{{cite web|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/01/25/peru-protests-political-crisis-castillo-boluarte-corruption/|title=The Real Reason Behind Peru's Political Crisis|work=[[Foreign Policy]]|date=25 January 2023 |access-date=1 April 2023}}</ref> Fujimori and her [[Fujimorist]] supporters would use their control of Congress to obstruct the executive branch of successive governments,<ref>{{cite web |date=2019-10-04 |title=Dark days for Peru's political dynasty after congress closes |url=https://apnews.com/42f58c6e27ae487285a0f154d91061be |access-date=2019-10-07 |website=[[Associated Press]] |quote=Fuerza Popular captured a majority in congress. But it's been downhill from that high point. ... its legislators have earned a reputation as hardline obstructionists for blocking initiatives popular with Peruvians aimed at curbing the nation's rampant corruption. 'This was a party behaving less like a political party and more like a mafia,' Levitsky said.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=20 January 2023 |title=Peru's Overlapping Messes |url=https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/perus-overlapping-messes |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=[[Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars]] |language=en |quote=Rural and indigenous peoples have been historically under-served by Lima-based national institutions. In 2021, Peruvians elected the country's first 'campesino president,' but he faced an obstructionist opposition and proved unable to make good on any of his campaign promises, producing significant disillusion.}}</ref> resulting with a period of political instability in Peru.{{sfn|Calderón|2022|pp=17}}

Afflicted by corruption, Congress launched an [[First impeachment of Pedro Pablo Kuczynski|attempt to remove]] President Kuczynski from power in December 2017, which failed. Following the emergence of a [[Mamanivideos scandal|vote buying scandal]] related to the [[pardon of Alberto Fujimori]] in March 2018, Kuczynski resigned under pressure of impeachment. Kuczynski's successor [[Martín Vizcarra]] similarly had tense relations with Congress. During Vizcarra's efforts to combat corruption, he [[2019–2020 Peruvian constitutional crisis|dissolved Congress]] and decreed [[2020 Peruvian parliamentary election|snap elections]] in January 2020, which led to [[Popular Force]] losing its majority in Congress. Following corruptions scandals and an [[First impeachment of Martín Vizcarra|impeachment attempt]] in September 2020, Vizcarra [[Second impeachment and removal of Martín Vizcarra|was successfully removed]] and replaced by [[Manuel Merino]] on 9 November 2020, which sparked [[2020 Peruvian protests|unrest]]. After five days in office, Merino resigned. His successor, [[Francisco Sagasti]], briefly stabilized the country while having tense relations with Congress.

During the [[2021 Peruvian general election]], a crisis emerged between Fujimori and presidential candidate [[Pedro Castillo]], who eventually went on to win the election. Following an electoral crisis, Castillo was inaugurated amid tensions with Fujimori and her allies, as well as the traditional political elite. Castillo faced harsh criticism from a far-right Congress and [[Pedro Castillo#Removal attempts|removal attempts]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Tegel |first=Simeon |date=27 March 2023 |title=Peru's First Female President Has Blood on Her Hands |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/03/27/perus-first-female-president-has-blood-on-her-hands/ |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=[[Foreign Policy]] |language=en-US |quote=social conservatism, which has been one of the few areas of common ground between Free Peru's presidential administrations and the hard-right congressional majority}}</ref><ref name="FAR2">{{bullet}}{{cite journal |date=11 August 2022 |title=Peru's Castillo will struggle to stay in office |url=https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/OXAN-DB272027/full/html |journal=[[Oxford Analytica]] |series=Emerald Expert Briefings |volume=oxan-db |issue=oxan-db |doi=10.1108/OXAN-DB272027 |quote=The far-right parties in Congress -- Renovacion Popular (Popular Renewal) and Avanza Pais (Forward Country)}}

* {{cite news |last1=Vásquez |first1=Jorge Rendón |date=10 April 2022 |title=Desmanes en las calles: la ultraderecha está jugando con la gasolina... y con el fuego |language=es |work=El Búho |url=https://elbuho.pe/2022/04/desmanes-en-las-calles-la-ultraderecha-esta-jugando-con-la-gasolina-y-con-el-fuego/ |access-date=30 April 2023 |quote=The far right, personified in Congress by 43 representatives of the groups Fuerza Popular, Renovación Popular and Avanza País and some of their center allies}}
* {{cite news |date=2022 |title=Así se movieron los votos en el Congreso para darle la ajustada confianza al gabinete de Aníbal Torres |language=es |work=LaMula |url=https://redaccion.lamula.pe/2022/03/09/asi-se-movieron-los-votos-en-el-congreso-para-darle-la-ajustada-confianza-al-gabinete-de-anibal-torres/lumasap/ |access-date=30 April 2023 |quote=Far-right: Fuerza Popular since then marked its line of voting against all the cabinets that Pedro Castillo names from now on. ... To these votes against were added those of Popular Renewal and Avanza País}}
* {{cite news |date=2 December 2022 |title=Perú: nuevo intento destituyente en contra de Pedro Castillo {{!}} El Congreso aprobó una moción para derrocarlo, la tercera en 16 meses |language=es |work=[[Pagina 12]] |url=https://www.pagina12.com.ar/504082-peru-nuevo-intento-destituyente-contra-pedro-castillo |access-date=17 January 2023 |quote=tres partidos de derecha radical -Fuerza Popular, Renovación Popular y Avanza País}}</ref> Following a failed second removal attempt, [[2022 Peruvian economic protests|protests]] broke out against Castillo. Castillo remained highly unpopular throughout his presidency. Following initiations of a [[Third impeachment and removal of Pedro Castillo|third removal attempt]], Castillo [[2022 Peruvian self-coup attempt|attempted to dissolve Congress]] in a failed [[self-coup]] attempt. Castillo was later removed from office and was replaced by his vice president, [[Dina Boluarte]]. Boluarte, who initially was elected with Castillo's campaign, began to side with the political elite as [[Peruvian protests (2022–2023)|protests]] against Castillo's removal broke out. Governmental response to the protests was criticized following massacres in [[Ayacucho massacre|Ayacucho]] and [[Juliaca massacre|Juliaca]], as well other reports of human rights abuses.<ref>[https://www.wola.org/2023/02/perus-deteriorating-human-rights-situation-signals-deeper-political-crisis/ Peru's Deteriorating Human Rights Situation Signals Deeper Political Crisis]</ref> Through packing the [[Constitutional Court of Peru]] with supporters, [[Fujimorists]] consolidated power within Congress, gaining control of high institutions in the country.<ref name="Ni siquiera topo: apenas tapón">{{cite web |date=22 May 2023 |title=Ni siquiera topo: apenas tapón |url=https://www.idl-reporteros.pe/ni-siquiera-topo-apenas-tapon/ |access-date=26 May 2023 |website=[[IDL-Reporteros]] |language=es}}</ref>{{sfn|Asensio|Camacho|González|Grompone|2021|p=92}}<ref name="Romero">{{cite web |last=Romero |first=César |title=Tribunal Constitucional falla a favor del Congreso, que tendrá un poder absoluto y sin control judicial |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/congreso/2023/02/24/tribunal-constitucional-falla-a-favor-del-congreso-que-tendra-un-poder-absoluto-y-sin-control-judicial-poder-judicial-defensoria-del-pueblo-sunedu-1427472 |access-date=2 March 2023 |website=[[La República (Peru)|La República]] |date=28 February 2023 |language=es}}</ref><ref name="larepublica.pe">{{cite web |last=Romero |first=César |title=El Tribunal Constitucional está destruyendo el régimen democrático del país |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/judiciales/2023/02/25/el-tribunal-constitucional-esta-destruyendo-el-regimen-democratico-del-pais-congreso-poder-ejecutivo-poder-judicial-1500875 |access-date=2 March 2023 |website=[[La República (Peru)|La República]] |date=25 February 2023 |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.axios.com/2023/02/14/peru-protests-dina-boluarte-pedro-castillo|title=Peru is locked in political crisis with no clear way out|work=Axios|first=Marina E.|last=Franco|date=14 February 2023|access-date=30 July 2023}}</ref>

Since the crisis began, Peru has been plagued with [[democratic backsliding]],<ref name="The Wire">{{cite web|url=https://thewire.in/rights/peru-protests-martin-vizcarra-manuel-merino|title=In Peru, the Political Elite's Lack of Accountability Made it Necessary for the Streets to Rise|work=The Wire|access-date=24 September 2023}}</ref> [[authoritarianism]],<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/perus-castillo-says-opponents-trying-blow-up-democracy-with-impeachment-trial-2022-12-06/ Peru's Castillo says opponents trying to 'blow up' democracy with impeachment trial]</ref><ref name="AUTHOR"/> an [[Recession|economic recession]],<ref>[https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/perus-recession-should-be-a-wake-up-call-for-its-politicians/ Peru's recession should be a wake-up call for its politicians ]</ref> and endemic [[corruption]],<ref name="Foreign Policy"/> as well as [[impunity]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=26 December 2022 |title=Crisis en Perú: Fuerzas Armadas causaron 167 muertes durante protestas realizadas entre 2003 y 2020 |url=https://www.infobae.com/america/peru/2022/12/26/crisis-en-peru-fuerzas-armadas-causaron-167-muertes-durante-protestas-realizadas-entre-2003-y-2020/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109171035/https://www.infobae.com/america/peru/2022/12/26/crisis-en-peru-fuerzas-armadas-causaron-167-muertes-durante-protestas-realizadas-entre-2003-y-2020/ |archive-date=9 January 2023 |access-date=2022-12-28 |website=infobae |language=es-ES}}</ref> Three of Peru's presidents have been described as authoritarian since the crisis began,<ref name="AUTHOR"/><ref name="Delfino">{{cite web|url=https://delfino.cr/2022/11/peru-a-backsliding-democracy-awakened|title=Peru: A backsliding democracy awakened|work=Delfino}}</ref><ref name="Peru's Democracy Is Dying">{{cite web|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/06/27/peru-democracy-pedro-castillo-presidency-leftist-reform-congress-institutions/|title=Peru's Democracy Is Dying|work=[[Foreign Policy]]|date=June 27, 2022|access-date=24 September 2023|quote=Pedro Castillo promised leftist reform. His incompetency has left his country's democracy on its last legs.}}</ref><ref name="washingtonpost.com">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/04/07/peru-protests-castillo/|title=Peru's Castillo tries authoritarian turn against protests. It fails.|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=April 7, 2022|access-date=24 September 2023}}</ref> while the majority of former presidents have been [[corruption in Peru|either imprisoned or subject to criminal investigations]].{{efn|[[Alberto Fujimori]], [[Alejandro Toledo]], [[Alan Garcia]], [[Ollanta Humala]], [[Pedro Pablo Kuczynski]], [[Martin Vizcarra]], [[Manuel Merino]], [[Pedro Castillo]], and [[Dina Boluarte]].}} The crisis also caused a loss of support for [[political party|political parties]] and [[politician]]s in general,<ref name="Garcia-2023"/> which has led to Peru being labeled as a 'failed democracy'.<ref name="AUTHOR"/><ref>[https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/changemakers/peru-castillo-protest-coup-congress-fujimori/ Elected politicians have failed in Peru – here's what must come next]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=4 January 2023 |title=Perú Libre presentará moción de interpelación contra ministro del Interior |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2023/01/03/marcha-por-la-paz-peru-libre-presentara-mocion-de-interpelacion-contra-ministro-del-interior-victor-rojas-pnp-atmp/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112005354/https://larepublica.pe/politica/2023/01/03/marcha-por-la-paz-peru-libre-presentara-mocion-de-interpelacion-contra-ministro-del-interior-victor-rojas-pnp-atmp/ |archive-date=12 January 2023 |access-date=2023-01-12 |website=[[La República (Peru)|La República]] |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2 January 2023 |title=Daniel Encinas: "Dina Boluarte ha hecho una coalición con fuerzas que no ganaron la elección" |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/actualidad/2023/01/02/pedro-castillo-daniel-encinas-dina-boluarte-ha-hecho-una-coalicion-con-fuerzas-que-no-ganaron-la-eleccion-golpe-de-estado-fuerzas-armadas-adelanto-de-elecciones/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116172824/https://larepublica.pe/politica/actualidad/2023/01/02/pedro-castillo-daniel-encinas-dina-boluarte-ha-hecho-una-coalicion-con-fuerzas-que-no-ganaron-la-eleccion-golpe-de-estado-fuerzas-armadas-adelanto-de-elecciones/ |archive-date=16 January 2023 |access-date=2023-01-12 |website=[[La República (Peru)|La República]] |language=es}}</ref>

==Background==
[[File:Ollanta Humala Tasso.jpg|thumb|[[Ollanta Humala]], who served a weak presidency due to the obstructionist efforts of Congress|left|232x232px]]
Following the collapse of the [[Alberto Fujimori|Fujimori]] regime in November 2000, his political legacy was followed by his daughter [[Keiko Fujimori]], who led the [[Fujimorism|Fujimorist]] [[Popular Force]] party. Fujimori and her party, as well as their [[Right-wing politics|right-wing]] allies in [[Congress of the Republic of Peru|Congress]], led an obstructionist campaign during the [[Presidency of Ollanta Humala|presidency]] of [[Ollanta Humala]], who led a weak presidency as a result and was essentially powerless.<ref>{{cite web |last=Flannery |first=Nathaniel Parish |title=Political Risk Analysis: How Will Peru's Economy Perform In 2017? |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/nathanielparishflannery/2017/03/30/political-risk-analysis-how-fast-will-perus-economy-grow-in-2017/ |date=30 March 2017 |access-date=2022-12-09 |website=[[Forbes]] |language=en |archive-date=9 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209053245/https://www.forbes.com/sites/nathanielparishflannery/2017/03/30/political-risk-analysis-how-fast-will-perus-economy-grow-in-2017/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2021 |title=The Political Limits of Presidential Impeachment: Lessons from Latin America |url=https://www.giga-hamburg.de/en/publications/giga-focus/political-limits-presidential-impeachment-lessons-latin-america |access-date=2022-12-09 |website=[[German Institute for Global and Area Studies]] |language=en-GB |archive-date=9 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209053253/https://www.giga-hamburg.de/en/publications/giga-focus/political-limits-presidential-impeachment-lessons-latin-america |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Dennis |first=Claire |date=23 August 2017 |title=Another Top Peru Politician Embroiled in Odebrecht Scandal |url=https://insightcrime.org/news/analysis/another-top-peru-politician-embroiled-odebrecht-scandal/ |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=[[InSight Crime]] |language=en-US |archive-date=15 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215040557/https://insightcrime.org/news/analysis/another-top-peru-politician-embroiled-odebrecht-scandal/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[2016 Peruvian general election|2016 elections]] had some of the largest political blocs at the time, [[Popular Force]] led by [[Keiko Fujimori]], [[Broad Front (Peru)|Broad Front]] led by [[Verónika Mendoza]] and [[Peruvians for Change]] directed by [[Pedro Pablo Kuczynski|Kuczynski]]. At first it was believed that both the Congress and the Presidency would be occupied by the members of Popular Force due to their overwhelming majority; the other two parties already mentioned occupied the third and second place respectively. Mendoza (who was in third place) decided to ask her voters to support the election of the Peruvians for Change party so that she could achieve power. The objective of the Broad Front was to counteract the large number of voters who had Popular Force. This objective was half-fulfilled, since Kuczynski came to the Presidency by a narrow margin,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://resultadoselecciones2016.onpe.gob.pe/PRP2V2016/Resultados-Ubigeo-Presidencial.html#posicion|title=Resultados Segunda Elección Presidencial 2016|publisher=Oficina Nacional de Procesos Electorales|access-date=3 June 2019}} {{dead link|date=September 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> while Popular Force managed to maintain hegemony in Congress.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://elcomercio.pe/politica/patricia-donayre-renuncio-fuerza-popular-437896|title=Donayre renunció a Fuerza Popular: "No hay una auténtica democracia"|trans-title=Donayre renounced Fuerza Popular: "There is no real democracy"|newspaper=El Comercio|date=28 June 2017|access-date=3 June 2019|language=es|archive-date=4 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604103002/https://elcomercio.pe/politica/patricia-donayre-renuncio-fuerza-popular-437896|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Main|Vacancy due to moral incapacity (Peru)}}
In the [[Constitution of Peru]], Article 113 allows for the removal of the President of Peru for "moral capacity", with the measure existing since the 1839 Constitution of Peru.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Lionel Bardales del Aguila |year=2022 |title=Análisis interpretativo sobre la vacancia presidencial por incapacidad moral en el Perú |url=https://revistas.unsm.edu.pe/index.php/rcri/article/view/276 |volume=2 |issue=1 |pages=e276 |doi=10.51252/rcri.v2i1.276 |newspaper=Revista Científica Ratio Iure|doi-access=free }}</ref> Until 2004, there was not a concrete procedure to enact the vacancy of a president, with the [[Constitutional Court of Peru]] recommending a clarified process.<ref>{{cite web |author=tc.gob.pe |year=2004 |title=Sentencia del Tribunal Constitucional N° 0006-2003-AI/TC |url=https://tc.gob.pe/jurisprudencia/2004/00006-2003-AI%20Resolucion.html}}</ref> Due to broadly interpreted [[impeachment]] wording in the constitution, the Congress can impeach the [[President of Peru]] without cause, effectively making the legislature more powerful than the executive branch.{{sfn|Asensio|Camacho|González|Grompone|2021|p=92}}<ref>{{cite news |last=Taj |first=Mitra |date=2021-12-07 |title='Too many mistakes': Peru's president threatened with impeachment after shaky start |work=[[Financial Times]] |url=https://www.ft.com/content/685a5a7d-4531-4242-9074-badd59254349 |access-date=2021-12-13}}</ref>

==Timeline==
[[File:Resultados primera vuelta Peru 2016.png|thumb|200px|left|Results of the 2016 presidential elections by department, the colors shown are the respective of the political parties: {{legend|#FF802E|[[Popular Force]]}} {{legend|#008024|[[Broad Front (Peru)|Broad Front]]}} {{legend|#FF17F6|[[Peruvians for Change]]}} {{legend|#FEFE90|[[Direct Democracy (Peru)|Direct Democracy]]}}]]

===Kuczynski presidency===
Following the [[2016 Peruvian general election|2016 election]] of [[Pedro Pablo Kuczynski]] to the presidency, tensions between the [[Peruvians for Change|PPK]]-led executive branch and the opposition-led congress, dominated by [[Fujimorism|Fujimorists]] from the [[Popular Force]], rose. Corruption scandals plagued the government for the first year, as well as the [[Odebrecht scandal]], national protests and strikes, and cabinet resignations.

====Executive-Congress conflict begins====
On 17 August 2017, members of Congress belonging to [[Popular Force]] filed a motion of interpellation against the Minister of Education [[Marilú Martens]] who was in negotiations with the representatives of the teachers, in search of the solution to [[Pedro Castillo#2017 teachers' strike|a prolonged teacher strike]].<ref>{{cite web|title= Fuerza Popular presentará moción de interpelación contra ministra Marilú Martens|trans-title= Fuerza Popular will present an interpellation motion against Minister Marilú Martens |date=17 August 2017 |access-date=3 June 2019|publisher= [[Diario Correo]]|location= Lima|url= http://diariocorreo.pe/politica/fuerza-popular-presentara-mocion-de-interpelacion-contra-ministra-marilu-martens-video-768195/ |language=es |archive-date=7 February 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190207065148/https://diariocorreo.pe/politica/fuerza-popular-presentara-mocion-de-interpelacion-contra-ministra-marilu-martens-video-768195/|url-status= live}}</ref> On 25 August, the plenary session of the Congress approved the motion of interpellation, with 79 votes in favor, 12 against and 6 abstentions. The votes in favor were from the bench of Popular Force, [[American Popular Revolutionary Alliance|APRA]], [[Broad Front (Peru)|Broad Front]] and [[Popular Action (Peru)|Popular Action]]. The date of the interpellation was set as 8 September. Martens answered a list of 40 questions, mainly about the teachers' strike that still persisted.<ref>{{cite news |title=Marilú Martens será interpelada por huelga de maestros|trans-title= Marilú Martens will be questioned by teachers' strike |date=25 August 2017 |access-date=3 June 2019|newspaper= El Comercio|location= Lima|url= http://elcomercio.pe/politica/marilu-martens-interpelacion-congreso-noticia-452771|language= es |archive-date=15 October 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171015202704/http://elcomercio.pe/politica/marilu-martens-interpelacion-congreso-noticia-452771|url-status= live}}</ref> Martens acknowledged deficiencies in facing the teachers' strike, but assured that her management would not reverse the recognition of meritocracy within the teaching profession. On 13 September, the Popular Force congresspeople announced that they would submit a motion of censure against Martens, since they claimed that she had not responded satisfactorily to the questions of the interpellation.<ref>{{Cite news|title= Fuerza Popular presentará moción de censura contra la ministra Marilú Martens|trans-title= Fuerza Popular will file a motion of no confidence against Minister Marilú Martens|date= 13 September 2017|access-date= 3 June 2019|newspaper= El Comercio|location= Lima|url= http://elcomercio.pe/politica/fuerza-popular-presentara-mocion-censura-ministra-marilu-martens-noticia-457695|language= es|archive-date= 9 October 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171009170752/http://elcomercio.pe/politica/fuerza-popular-presentara-mocion-censura-ministra-marilu-martens-noticia-457695|url-status= live}}</ref> Faced with this threat of censorship (which would be the second against a head of Education in less than a year), Prime Minister [[Fernando Zavala]] asked Congress a question of confidence for the full ministerial cabinet.<ref name="El Comercio">{{cite news|title= Congreso convoca a Fernando Zavala para las 4 p.m. por cuestión de confianza|trans-title= Congress calls Fernando Zavala for 4 p.m. as a matter of trust|date= 14 September 2017|access-date= 3 June 2019|newspaper= El Comercio|location= Lima|url= http://elcomercio.pe/politica/congreso-convoca-fernando-zavala-4-p-m-cuestion-confianza-noticia-458011|language= es|archive-date= 18 September 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170918085729/http://elcomercio.pe/politica/congreso-convoca-fernando-zavala-4-p-m-cuestion-confianza-noticia-458011|url-status= live}}</ref> Zavala's request was criticized by Congress, stating that Zavala was in solidarity with a minister who was questioned, endangering her entire cabinet, and even more, when the motion of censure had not yet been made official. It was also said that the "renewal of trust" was something that the Constitution did not contemplate.<ref>{{Cite news|author= Martín Hidalgo Bustamante|title= Cuestión de confianza: claves sobre el pedido que busca Fernando Zavala|trans-title= Question of trust: keys on the order that Fernando Zavala seeks|date= 14 September 2017|access-date= 3 June 2019|newspaper= El Comercio|location= Lima|url= http://elcomercio.pe/politica/cuestion-confianza-claves-pedido-primer-ministro-fernando-zavala-noticia-457853|language= es|archive-date= 6 October 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171006212830/http://elcomercio.pe/politica/cuestion-confianza-claves-pedido-primer-ministro-fernando-zavala-noticia-457853|url-status= live}}</ref> In any case, the Board of Spokespersons of the Congress summoned Zavala on 14 September to support her request for confidence. Zavala presented himself to the plenary session of the Congress with the ministers and presented his request in 12 minutes; his argument focused on the government's intention to defend the education policy that was intended, according to him, to undermine the education minister's censure. Then they proceeded to the parliamentary debate.<ref name="El Comercio"/> The question of trust was debated for 7 hours and voted on 15 September. The cabinet failed to obtain the confidence of the Parliament, which voted against the confidence with 77, which produced the total crisis of the cabinet.<ref>{{Cite news|title= Congreso decide no otorgar la confianza al Gabinete Zavala|trans-title= Congress decides not to grant confidence to the Zavala Cabinet|date= 15 September 2017|access-date= 3 June 2019|newspaper= El Comercio|location= Lima|url= http://elcomercio.pe/politica/fernando-zavala-congreso-republica-decide-otorgar-confianza-gabinete-ministerial-noticia-458242|language= es|archive-date= 15 September 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170915113412/http://elcomercio.pe/politica/fernando-zavala-congreso-republica-decide-otorgar-confianza-gabinete-ministerial-noticia-458242|url-status= live}}</ref>

On 17 September, Second Vice President [[Mercedes Aráoz]] was sworn in as president of the [[Prime Minister of Peru|Council of Ministers of Peru]] and with this, five new ministers were announced: Claudia Cooper Fort (Economy), Idel Vexler (Education), Enrique Mendoza Ramírez (Justice and Human Rights), Fernando d'Alessio (Health) and [[Carlos Bruce]] (Housing). The new head of the cabinet was sworn in with the 18 ministers in a ceremony held in the Court of Honor of the [[Government Palace (Peru)|Government Palace]]. On 6 October, the vote of confidence was given and if it were to fail, the president would have the right to dissolve Congress and call new elections, as the Constitution of 1993 said. The vote of confidence was delayed until 12 October, beginning with the exhibitions of the new cabinet led by Aráoz and subsequent intervention of the different political caucuses of the Congress until the next day. It resulted in 83 votes in favor and 17 against.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://elcomercio.pe/politica/congreso-otorgo-voto-confianza-gabinete-mercedes-araoz-noticia-465373|title=Congreso otorgó voto de confianza a Gabinete de Mercedes Aráoz [VIDEO]|trans-title=Congress granted vote of confidence to Mercedes Aráoz's Cabinet [VIDEO]|newspaper=El Comercio|date=13 October 2017|access-date=3 June 2019|language=es|archive-date=2 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171102000044/https://elcomercio.pe/politica/congreso-otorgo-voto-confianza-gabinete-mercedes-araoz-noticia-465373|url-status=live}}</ref>

Many political figureheads such as the media reported on the denial of confidence in the first cabinet; journalist Rosa María Palacios sent a message to the president asking him to dissolve the Congress<ref>{{cite web |url=http://larepublica.pe/politica/1098677-rmp-el-pais-va-aplaudir-de-pie-si-ppk-disuelve-el-congreso |title=RMP: "El país va aplaudir de pie si PPK disuelve el Congreso" |trans-title=RMP: "The country will applaud standing if PPK dissolves the Congress" |publisher=La República |date=15 September 2017 |access-date=3 June 2019 |language=es |archive-date=6 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406204248/https://larepublica.pe/politica/1098677-rmp-el-pais-va-aplaudir-de-pie-si-ppk-disuelve-el-congreso |url-status=live}}</ref> and warned that "Fujimorism has been trapped.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://larepublica.pe/politica/1098451-rosa-maria-palacios-habla-sobre-rechazo-a-mocion-de-confianza-del-gabinete-ministerial-de-fernando-zavala|title=RMP tras censura al Gabinete Zavala: "El fujimorismo ha quedado atrapado"|trans-title=RMP after censorship of the Zavala Cabinet: "Fujimorism has been trapped"|publisher=La República|date=15 September 2017|access-date=3 June 2019|language=es|archive-date=11 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411223345/https://larepublica.pe/politica/1098451-rosa-maria-palacios-habla-sobre-rechazo-a-mocion-de-confianza-del-gabinete-ministerial-de-fernando-zavala|url-status=live}}</ref> Journalist César Hildebrandt also sent a message to the president saying that "the country requires him to confront the Fujimorist Congress".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://larepublica.pe/politica/1098740-cesar-hildebrandt-a-ppk-el-pais-le-exige-que-se-enfrente-al-congreso-fujimorista |title=César Hildebrandt a PPK: "El país le exige que se enfrente al Congreso fujimorista" |trans-title=César Hildebrandt to PPK: "The country requires him to face the Fujimorist Congress" |publisher=La República |date=15 September 2017 |access-date=3 June 2019 |language=es |archive-date=12 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412203528/https://larepublica.pe/politica/1098740-cesar-hildebrandt-a-ppk-el-pais-le-exige-que-se-enfrente-al-congreso-fujimorista |url-status=live}}</ref> A former constitutional lawyer in an interview said that the former president of the Council of Ministers [[Fernando Zavala]] "is sacrificing for state policies",<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://larepublica.pe/politica/1098034-zavala-se-esta-sacrificando-por-las-politicas-de-estado |title=Víctor García Toma: "Fernando Zavala se está sacrificando por las políticas de Estado" |trans-title=Víctor García Toma: "Fernando Zavala is sacrificing for state policies" |publisher=La República |date=14 September 2017 |access-date=3 June 2019 |language=es |archive-date=12 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412013144/https://larepublica.pe/politica/1098034-zavala-se-esta-sacrificando-por-las-politicas-de-estado |url-status=live}}</ref> the former president of the Council of Ministers [[Pedro Cateriano]] warned that "[[Keiko Fujimori]], leader of the Popular Force party, wants to lead a [[coup d'etat]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americatv.com.pe/noticias/actualidad/pedro-cateriano-keiko-fujimori-quiere-dar-golpe-estado-n291886|title=Pedro Cateriano: "Keiko Fujimori quiere dar un golpe de Estado"|trans-title=Pedro Cateriano: "Keiko Fujimori wants to take a coup d'etat"|publisher=América Noticias|date=13 September 2017|access-date=3 June 2019|language=es|archive-date=30 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630171755/http://www.americatv.com.pe/noticias/actualidad/pedro-cateriano-keiko-fujimori-quiere-dar-golpe-estado-n291886|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 15 November, through Bill No. 2133, Congressman [[Mauricio Mulder]] presented the Mulder Law, which prohibited state advertising in private media and on 28 February 2018 approved the bill by the Permanent Commission of the Congress with 20 in favor, 3 against and 14 abstentions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://andina.pe/agencia/noticia-congreso-aprueba-proyecto-prohibe-publicidad-estatal-medios-privados-700645.aspx|title=Congreso aprueba proyecto que prohíbe publicidad estatal en medios privados|trans-title=Congress approves project that prohibits state advertising in private media|publisher=Andina|date=28 February 2018|access-date=3 June 2019|location=Lima|language=es|archive-date=21 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721194419/https://andina.pe/agencia/noticia-congreso-aprueba-proyecto-prohibe-publicidad-estatal-medios-privados-700645.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://rpp.pe/politica/congreso/aprueban-en-primera-votacion-proyecto-sobre-publicidad-estatal-en-medios-privados-noticia-1107693|title=Aprueban en primera votación proyecto sobre publicidad estatal en medios privados|trans-title=First draft vote on state advertising in private media approved|publisher=RPP|date=28 February 2018|access-date=3 June 2019|language=es|archive-date=7 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707114618/http://rpp.pe/politica/congreso/aprueban-en-primera-votacion-proyecto-sobre-publicidad-estatal-en-medios-privados-noticia-1107693|url-status=live}}</ref> The ruling was approved at the urging of [[American Popular Revolutionary Alliance|APRA]] and [[Fujimorism]] on 15 June 2018 with 70 votes in favor, 30 against and 7 abstentions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/1261383-ley-mordaza-ley-mulder-accion-inconstitucionalidad|title=Ley mordaza: ¿Qué es una acción de inconstitucionalidad?|trans-title=Gag Law: What is an unconstitutionality action?|publisher=La República|date=15 June 2018|access-date=3 June 2019|language=es|archive-date=1 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701084919/https://larepublica.pe/politica/1261383-ley-mordaza-ley-mulder-accion-inconstitucionalidad|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/congreso-aprobo-insistencia-ley-prohibe-publicidad-estatal-medios-privados-noticia-527899|title=Congreso aprobó ley que prohíbe publicidad estatal en medios privados|trans-title=Congress passed law banning state advertising in private media|newspaper=El Comercio|date=15 June 2018|access-date=3 June 2019|language=es|archive-date=20 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620074151/https://elcomercio.pe/politica/congreso-aprobo-insistencia-ley-prohibe-publicidad-estatal-medios-privados-noticia-527899|url-status=live}}</ref> and it was published on 18 June 2018 in the Legal Rules of the Official Gazette El Peruano.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/1262962-ley-mordaza-congreso-publico-ley-publicidad-estatal-peruano|title=Congreso publicó norma que prohíbe publicidad estatal en medios privados|trans-title=Congress published rule prohibiting state advertising in private media|publisher=La República|date=18 June 2018|access-date=3 June 2019|language=es|archive-date=28 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128020159/https://larepublica.pe/politica/1262962-ley-mordaza-congreso-publico-ley-publicidad-estatal-peruano|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2017, the Lava Jato Commission, a congressional commission chaired by [[Rosa Bartra]] investigating [[Odebrecht]] and its activities in Peru, as well as [[Operation Car Wash|the concurrent scandal]], received confidential information that President Kuczynski had had labor ties with this company, which went back to the time when he was both Prime Minister and the Minister of the Economy between 2004 and 2006, under the government of [[Alejandro Toledo]], despite the fact that since the outbreak of the Odebrecht case, Kuczynski had denied him on several occasions.

The Commission then asked the Odebrecht company for details of its relationship with Kuczynski, which were publicly disclosed on 13 December. It was revealed then that Westfield Capital, an investment banking advisory firm, founded and directed by Kuczynski had carried out seven consultancies for Odebrecht between November 2004 and December 2007 for millions of dollars, that is, coinciding with the time when Kuczynski had been Minister of Economy (2004–2005) and Prime Minister (2005–2006). The information also revealed that another company closely related to Kuczynski, First Capital, formed by its [[Chile]]an partner Gerardo Sepúlveda, had also provided consulting services for Odebrecht between 2005 and 2013.<ref>{{Cite news|title=PPK, la Interoceánica y los pagos de Odebrecht a Westfield [Cronología]|trans-title=PPK, Interoceanic and payments from Odebrecht to Westfield [Timeline]|date=15 December 2017|access-date=3 June 2019|newspaper=El Comercio|url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/ppk-interoceanica-pagos-odebrecht-westfield-cronologia-noticia-481682|language=es|archive-date=29 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529011647/https://elcomercio.pe/politica/ppk-interoceanica-pagos-odebrecht-westfield-cronologia-noticia-481682|url-status=live}}</ref>

====First attempted impeachment====
{{main|First impeachment of Pedro Pablo Kuczynski}}
[[File:Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, ao lado de seus vice-presidentes, discursa sobre seu processo de impeachment.png|thumb|350px|[[Pedro Pablo Kuczynski]] next to his vice-presidents, [[Martín Vizcarra]] and [[Mercedes Aráoz]], a speech prior to his first impeachment vote.]]
The opposition, led by [[Popular Force]], demanded the resignation of [[Pedro Pablo Kuczynski]] and threatened his [[impeachment]] if he did not do so. The [[Broad Front (Peru)|Broad Front]] support holding an immediate impeachment vote. On 14 December, Kuczynski, through a [[Mensaje a la nación|message to the nation]], denied the accusations and said he would not resign his position. 
{{blockquote|I am here to tell you: I am not going to abdicate my honor or my values or my responsibilities as president of all Peruvians,|Pedro Pablo Kuczynski}}

In his defense, he claimed to have no relationship with the company First Capital, which was the sole property of Sepúlveda, and that only one of the payments mentioned had to do with him, the one dated in 2012, when he no longer held any ministerial positions. As for Westfield Capital, although he acknowledged that it was his sole proprietorship, he affirmed that he was never under his direction and administration while he was Prime Minister, and that the contracts dated at that time had been signed by Sepúlveda, his partner. He also noted that all payments to his company were legal, and that they were duly registered, billed and banked.<ref>{{Cite news|title= PPK: "No voy a abdicar a mis responsabilidades como presidente"|trans-title= PPK: "I will not abdicate my responsibilities as president" |date=15 December 2017|access-date= 3 June 2019|newspaper= El Comercio|location= Lima|url= https://elcomercio.pe/politica/ppk-abdicar-mis-responsabilidades-presidente-noticia-481752|language= es |archive-date=29 May 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190529011444/https://elcomercio.pe/politica/ppk-abdicar-mis-responsabilidades-presidente-noticia-481752 |url-status=live}}</ref> Kuczunski's explanations did not convince the opposition, and he was accused of continuing to lie, especially in relation to the fact that he had left Westfield Capital when he was minister, when, according to public records, he always figured as director of that company. Although PPK argued that there had been a "Chinese wall", an expression used in business to refer to when the partner or owner has no contact or receive information on the management of the company, while in public office (but in the case of Wesfield Capital, being a company where Kuczynski was its sole agent, it is unclear how this "Chinese wall" could be made). Faced with the refusal of the president to resign, several of the opposition caucuses of Congress then proposed to submit their position to the vacancy.

The Broad Front submitted a motion for the vacancy request to be debated in the plenary session of the Congress. The congresspersons of Popular Force, APRA and the Alliance for Progress joined the request and the motion surpassed more than the 26 signatures needed to proceed with the process. Once the motion was approved, the debate began on 15 December and lasted until later that day. The opposition legislators who introduced the motion cited [[Vacancy due to moral incapacity (Peru)|a moral incapacity]] when they denounced that the president lied in the statements he gave about his ties with [[Odebrecht]]. The congresspeople demanded that the due process be followed, reproaching the fact that the opposition proceeded with unusual speed and that several of its members had already decided to empty the president without having heard his defense. They also questioned the fact that a single report from Odebrecht was considered sufficient evidence, thereby overtly dispensing with the investigation that demanded such a delicate and far-reaching case.

According to the regulations, the vote of 40% of competent congressmen was needed for the admission of the vacancy request. As 118 congressmen were present, only 48 votes were needed, which was widely exceeded, as they voted 93 in favor and 17 against; these last ones were, in their great majority, those of the pro-government caucus.<ref>{{Cite web|author1= Aarón Salomón|author2= Karina Valencia|title= La vacancia de Kuczynski se decidirá el próximo jueves 21|trans-title= The vacancy of Kuczynski will be decided next Thursday 21|date= 16 December 2017|access-date= 3 June 2019|publisher= Diario Correo|location= Lima|url= https://diariocorreo.pe/politica/mocion-para-vacancia-de-ppk-es-admitida-por-el-congreso-y-el-jueves-deciden-su-suerte-792228/|language= es|archive-date= 1 June 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190601031814/https://diariocorreo.pe/politica/mocion-para-vacancia-de-ppk-es-admitida-por-el-congreso-y-el-jueves-deciden-su-suerte-792228/|url-status= live}}</ref>

Once the vacancy request was approved, the Congress agreed that on 21 December, Kuczynski should appear before the plenary session of the Congress to make his disclaimers; then it would proceed to debate and finally vote to decide the presidential vacancy, needed for this 87 votes of the total of 130 congressmen.<ref>{{Cite news|title= Congreso admitió pedido de vacancia contra PPK|trans-title= Congress admitted vacancy request against PPK|date= 15 December 2017|access-date= 3 June 2019|newspaper= El Comercio|location= Lima|url= https://elcomercio.pe/politica/vacancia-ppk-resuelve-proximo-jueves-21-noticia-482039|language= es|archive-date= 6 July 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190706011907/https://elcomercio.pe/politica/vacancia-ppk-resuelve-proximo-jueves-21-noticia-482039|url-status= live|last1= Hidalgo Bustamante|first1= Martín}}</ref>

On the appointed day, Kuczynski went to Congress to exercise his defense, accompanied by his lawyer Alberto Borea Odría. The defense began with the speech of the president himself, in which he denied having committed any act of corruption. Then came Borea's defense, which had as its axis the consideration that the vacancy request was an exaggeration because you could not accuse a president of the Republic without demonstrating with irrefutable evidence his "permanent moral incapacity", a concept that the congressmen did not they had apparently very clear, because strictly the constitutional precept would be referring to a mental incapacity. He considered that the offenses or imputed crimes had to be ventilated first in the investigating commission, before drawing hasty conclusions. He also rejected that PPK has repeatedly lied about his relationship with Odebrecht (argument that the Fujimoristas used to justify their permanent moral incapacity), because the facts in question had happened twelve years ago and he did not have to have them present in detail.<ref>{{Cite news|title= Alberto Borea: "Yo he defendido una causa republicana"|trans-title= Alberto Borea: "I have defended a republican cause"|date= 22 December 2017|access-date= 3 June 2019|newspaper= El Comercio|location= Lima|url= https://elcomercio.pe/politica/alberto-borea-he-defendido-causa-republicana-noticia-483527|language= es|archive-date= 24 December 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171224101256/https://elcomercio.pe/politica/alberto-borea-he-defendido-causa-republicana-noticia-483527|url-status= live}}</ref>

After the speech of Borea, the congressional debate that lasted fourteen hours began. Voting for the vacancy took place after eleven o'clock at night, with the following result: 78 votes in favor, 19 against and 21 abstentions. One of the benches, [[New Peru]], retired before the voting, because to say of its members they did not want to follow the game to [[Fujimorism]]. Since 87 votes were needed to proceed with the vacancy, this was dismissed.<ref>{{Cite news|title= PPK no fue vacado por el Congreso de la República|trans-title= PPK was not vacated by the Congress of the Republic|date= 22 December 2017|access-date= 3 June 2019|newspaper= El Comercio|location= Lima|url= https://elcomercio.pe/politica/ppk-vacado-congreso-republica-noticia-483477|language= es |archive-date=29 May 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190529011840/https://elcomercio.pe/politica/ppk-vacado-congreso-republica-noticia-483477|url-status= live}}</ref> The whole Popular Force bench voted in favor of the vacancy, with the exception of 10 of its members, led by [[Kenji Fujimori]], who abstained, and who thus decided the result. The rumor spread that this dissident group, which would later be called the "Avengers", had negotiated its votes with the government in exchange for the presidential pardon in favor of Alberto Fujimori, its historical leader who was then imprisoned.<ref>{{Cite news|title= Galarreta: "Fujimori no merece ser canjeado por blindajes"|trans-title= Galarreta: "Fujimori does not deserve to be exchanged for armor"|date= 22 December 2017|access-date= 3 June 2019|newspaper= El Comercio|location= Lima|url= https://elcomercio.pe/politica/luis-galarreta-alberto-fujimori-merece-canjeado-blindajes-noticia-483614|language= es|archive-date= 27 December 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171227164052/https://elcomercio.pe/politica/luis-galarreta-alberto-fujimori-merece-canjeado-blindajes-noticia-483614|url-status= live}}</ref> After the Popular Force bench and led by Kenji announced the formation of a new political group named [[Cambio 21 (political party)|Cambio 21]], which would support the government.<ref>{{Cite news|author= Roger Hernández Sánchez|title= Kenji dejó Fuerza Popular: las implicancias en el fujimorismo|trans-title= Kenji left Popular Force: the implications in Fujimorism |date=1 March 2018|access-date= 3 June 2019|newspaper= El Comercio|location= Lima|url= https://elcomercio.pe/politica/kenji-fujimori-dejo-fp-implicancias-fujimorismo-noticia-501376|language= es|archive-date= 29 May 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190529005917/https://elcomercio.pe/politica/kenji-fujimori-dejo-fp-implicancias-fujimorismo-noticia-501376|url-status= live}}</ref>

[[File:Protestas contra el Indulto a Alberto Fujimori.jpg|thumb|left|275px|A protest against President Kuczynski's [[pardon of Alberto Fujimori]], 28 December 2017]]
On 24 December 2017, Kuczynski [[Pardon of Alberto Fujimori|granted a humanitarian pardon]] to [[Alberto Fujimori]], who had been imprisoned for 12 years, with a sentence of 25 years for crimes of human rights violations committed during the [[Internal conflict in Peru|Shining Path insurgency]].<ref>{{Cite news|title= PPK: Indulto a Fujimori quizás fue la decisión más difícil de mi vida|trans-title= PPK: Pardon to Fujimori was perhaps the most difficult decision of my life|date= 26 December 2017|access-date= 3 June 2019|newspaper= El Comercio|location= Lima|url= https://elcomercio.pe/politica/ppk-indulto-decision-dificil-mi-vida-noticia-484215|language= es|archive-date= 5 January 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180105011750/https://elcomercio.pe/politica/ppk-indulto-decision-dificil-mi-vida-noticia-484215|url-status= live}}</ref> The government assured that the pardon had been decided for purely humanitarian reasons, in view of the various physical ills afflicting the former president of the Republic, confirmed by reports of a medical board.<ref>{{Cite web|title= Alberto Fujimori libre: PPK le otorgó el indulto al exdictador|trans-title= Free Alberto Fujimori: PPK granted the former dictator's pardon|date= 25 December 2017|access-date= 3 June 2019|publisher= La República|location= Lima|url= http://larepublica.pe/politica/1161969-alberto-fujimori-libre-ppk-le-otorgo-el-indulto-al-exdictador|language= es|archive-date= 25 May 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190525184834/https://larepublica.pe/politica/1161969-alberto-fujimori-libre-ppk-le-otorgo-el-indulto-al-exdictador|url-status= live}}</ref> However, a strong suspicion arose that the pardon would have been the result of a furtive pact of the Kuczynski government with the sector of the Fujimorist bloc that had abstained during the vote for the presidential vacancy and that had thus prevented it from concrete this. The pardon also motivated the resignation of the official congressmen Alberto de Belaunde, [[Vicente Zeballos]] and [[Gino Costa]]; of the Minister of Culture [[Salvador del Solar]] and Minister of Defense Jorge Nieto Montesinos. The Minister of the Interior, [[Carlos Basombrío Iglesias]], had already resigned. There were also several marches in Lima and throughout the county of the country in protest of the pardon.

Alberto Fujimori, who days before the pardon had been admitted to a clinic for complications in his health, was discharged on 4 January 2018 and so could, for the first time, move freely.<ref>{{Cite web|title= Alberto Fujimori dejó clínica y quedó en libertad gracias a indulto humanitario (VIDEO)|trans-title= Alberto Fujimori left clinic and was released thanks to humanitarian pardon (VIDEO)|date= 5 January 2018|access-date= 3 June 2019|publisher= Diario Correo|location= Lima|url= https://diariocorreo.pe/politica/alberto-fujimori-sale-de-clinica-tras-indulto-humanitario-795573/|language= es|archive-date= 8 January 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180108062549/https://diariocorreo.pe/politica/alberto-fujimori-sale-de-clinica-tras-indulto-humanitario-795573/|url-status= live}}</ref> President Kuczynski, meanwhile, formed a new ministerial cabinet, which he called "the Cabinet of Reconciliation," which according to him, should mark a new stage in the relationship between the Executive and the Legislative. [[Mercedes Aráoz]] held the post of Prime Minister, while eight ministerial changes were made, the most important renewal in what was going on in the government.<ref>{{Cite news|title= "Gabinete de la reconciliación" juró en Palacio de Gobierno|trans-title= "Cabinet of reconciliation" swore in Government Palace|date= 9 January 2018|access-date= 3 June 2019|newspaper= El Comercio|location= Lima|url= https://elcomercio.pe/politica/miembros-gabinete-reconciliacion-juran-palacio-noticia-487696|language= es|archive-date= 8 June 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190608234805/https://elcomercio.pe/politica/miembros-gabinete-reconciliacion-juran-palacio-noticia-487696|url-status= live}}</ref>

====Second impeachment and resignation====
{{main|Resignation of Pedro Pablo Kuczynski}}
Only days after the first attempt at a presidential vacancy, in January 2018, the Broad Front caucus filed a new vacancy request, alleging Alberto Fujimori's pardon, which allegedly had been negotiated and granted illegally. This did not prosper, given the lack of support from Fuerza Popular, whose votes were necessary to carry out such an initiative. Under that experience, the leftist groups of Broad Front and Nuevo Peru promoted another vacancy motion, concentrating exclusively on the Odebrecht case, arguing that new indications of corruption and conflict of interest had been discovered by PPK when he was Minister of State in the government of [[Alejandro Toledo]].<ref>{{Cite news|title= Izquierda promueve nuevo pedido de vacancia contra PPK|trans-title= Left promotes new vacancy request against PPK |date=2 February 2018|access-date= 3 June 2019|newspaper= El Comercio|url= https://elcomercio.pe/politica/izquierda-promueve-nuevo-pedido-vacancia-ppk-noticia-493869 |language=es |archive-date=15 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215031209/https://elcomercio.pe/politica/izquierda-promueve-nuevo-pedido-vacancia-ppk-noticia-493869-noticia/|url-status= live}}</ref> This time they won the support of Fuerza Popular, as well as other groups like Alianza para el Progreso (whose spokesperson, [[César Villanueva]], was the main promoter of the initiative), thus gathering the 27 minimum votes necessary to present a multiparty motion before the Congress of the Republic, what was done on 8 March 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Presentan moción de vacancia contra PPK por "incapacidad moral"|trans-title=They present vacancy motion against PPK for "moral incapacity"|date=8 March 2018|publisher=Diario Correo|url=https://diariocorreo.pe/politica/tramite-de-vacancia-contra-ppk-empieza-hoy-y-manana-va-al-pleno-806708/|access-date=3 June 2019|language=es|archive-date=27 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127003144/https://diariocorreo.pe/politica/tramite-de-vacancia-contra-ppk-empieza-hoy-y-manana-va-al-pleno-806708/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Renuncia_de_Pedro_Pablo_Kuczynski.jpg|thumb|300px|President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski resigning the presidency on 21 March 2018]]
On 15 March, the admission of this motion was debated in the plenary session of the Congress, the result being 87 votes in favor, 15 votes against and 15 abstentions. The motion received the backing of all the benches, except for Peruvians for Change and non-grouped congressmen, among them, the three former pro-government officials and the Kenji Fujimori bloc.<ref>{{Cite news|title= Congreso de la República admite a debate moción de vacancia contra PPK|trans-title= Congress of the Republic admits a vacancy motion against PPK |date=15 March 2018|newspaper= El Comercio|url= https://elcomercio.pe/politica/congreso-admite-debate-mocion-vacancia-ppk-noticia-504662|access-date= 3 June 2019|language= es|archive-date= 2 June 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190602182225/https://elcomercio.pe/politica/congreso-admite-debate-mocion-vacancia-ppk-noticia-504662|url-status= live}}</ref> The Board of Spokespersons scheduled the debate on the presidential vacancy request for 22 March. A confidential report from the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) on the money movements of Kuczynski's bank accounts was forwarded to the Public Ministry and the Lava Jato Commission of Congress, but inexplicably leaked to public knowledge. This 33-page document revealed that from the companies and consortiums linked Odebrecht transfers had been made to Westfield Capital, the one-person Kuczynski company, for millions. Transfers made to the account of the driver of Kuczynski and that of Gilbert Violeta were also revealed, although it was shown that these were only payments of a labor nature and of basic services.<ref>{{cite book|author= Américo Zambrano|title= Final del juego|trans-title=End of game|edition= 388|date= 16 March 2018|publisher= Hildebrandt en sus trece|location= Lima|language=es}}</ref> The leak of this report, which is presumed to have been made by the Lava Jato Commission chaired by Rosa Bartra, would have been with the intention of further identifying the credibility of the President of the Republic.

On 20 March 2018, [[Popular Force]] showed evidence that the government was buying the support of congressmen to vote against the second presidential vacancy request, a rumor that had already circulated during the first process. It was [[Mamanivideos scandal|a set of videos]] where the conversations made by the legislators Bienvenido Ramírez and Guillermo Bocángel (from the bench of [[Kenji Fujimori]]) to try to convince Congressman [[Moisés Mamani]] of Puno not to join to support the presidential vacancy, in exchange for works for his represented region. In one of the videos, Kenji Fujimori is seen in a meeting with Mamani, which also includes Bienvenido Ramírez. The latter makes a series of offers to the parliamentarian from Puno to enable him to streamline projects for his region, in exchange for joining his group and supporting Kuczynski. In another video we see Bocángel talking about the administrative control of the Congress, once they access the Board. And in a third video, we see Alberto Borea Odría, PPK's lawyer on the subject of vacancy, explaining to Mamani about aspects of that process and giving him the telephone number of a minister of state. Those involved in the scandal, came out to defend themselves, saying that it was normal practice for congressmen to turn to ministers to ask for works in favor of their regions. Congressman Bienvenido even said that he had only "bragged". But what was questioned was the fact that the government negotiated these works to reorient the vote of a group of congressmen on the issue of the presidential vacancy, which would constitute the criminal figure of influence peddling. A few hours later, Fujimorists gave the final thrust, by broadcasting a set of audios, in which the Minister of Transport and Communications, Bruno Giuffra is heard offering works to Mamani in exchange for his vote to avoid the vacancy. The press highlighted a phrase by Giuffra in which he says: "Comrade, you know what the nut is and what you are going to get out", presumably referring to the benefits Mamani would gain if he voted against the vacancy.<ref>{{Cite web|author1=Ángel Páez|author2=Doris Aguirre|author3=Melissa Goytizolo|title=Mamani también grabó reunión con PPK en su casa con Giuffra|trans-title=Mamani also recorded meeting with PPK at his home with Giuffra|date=21 March 2018|publisher=La República|url=http://larepublica.pe/politica/1215272-fujimorista-moises-mamani-tambien-grabo-reunion-con-ppk-en-su-casa-con-giuffra-y-choquehuanca|access-date=3 June 2019|language=es|archive-date=30 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130155042/https://larepublica.pe/politica/1215272-fujimorista-moises-mamani-tambien-grabo-reunion-con-ppk-en-su-casa-con-giuffra-y-choquehuanca|url-status=live}}</ref> Until then, it was expected that the vote to achieve the vacancy would be very tight and that even Kuczynski could again succeed as had happened in the first process. But the Kenjivideos determined that several congressmen who until then had manifested their abstention (among them the three ex- oficialistas) folded in favor of the vacancy, and thus they made it known openly.<ref>{{Cite news|author= Martín Hidalgo Bustamante|title= PPK: Videos inclinan la balanza de los votos de la vacancia contra el presidente|trans-title= PPK: Videos tilt the balance of the vacancy votes against the president|date= 21 March 2018|newspaper= El Comercio|url= https://elcomercio.pe/politica/videos-inclinan-balanza-votos-vacancia-ppk-noticia-506063|access-date= 3 June 2019|language= es|archive-date= 12 June 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141924/https://elcomercio.pe/politica/videos-inclinan-balanza-votos-vacancia-ppk-noticia-506063|url-status= live}}</ref>

Faced with the foreseeable scenario that awaited him in the debate scheduled for the Congress on the 22nd, PPK opted to renounce the Presidency of the Republic, sending the respective letter to Congress, and giving a televised message to the Nation, which was transmitted in the afternoon of 21 March.<ref>{{cite news|title= PPK renuncia a su cargo y afirma que habrá transición ordenada [VIDEO]|trans-title= PPK resigns his position and affirms that there will be an orderly transition [VIDEO]|date= 21 March 2018|newspaper= El Comercio|url= https://elcomercio.pe/politica/ppk-comunico-ministros-renuncia-difusion-videos-noticia-506143|access-date= 3 June 2019|language= es|archive-date= 29 May 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190529011529/https://elcomercio.pe/politica/ppk-comunico-ministros-renuncia-difusion-videos-noticia-506143|url-status= live}}</ref>

{{Blockquote|I think the best thing for the country is for me to renounce the Presidency of the Republic. I do not want to be a stumbling block for our nation to find the path of unity and harmony that is so badly needed and denied to me. I do not want the country or my family to continue suffering with the uncertainty of recent times (...) There will be a constitutionally ordered transition.|Kuczynski, in his message of resignation to the Presidency of the Republic. Lima, 21 March 2018.}}

The Board of Spokespersons of the Congress, although rejected the terms of the letter of resignation of Kuczynski, arguing that this did not make any self-criticism and victimized, accepted the same and scheduled for 22 March a debate in Congress to evaluate the resignation. That debate lasted until the next day.<ref>{{cite web|title= Pleno de Congreso debate hoy la renuncia de Kuczynski|trans-title= Plenary of Congress debates today the resignation of Kuczynski|date= 21 March 2018|publisher= Diario Correo|location= Lima|url= https://diariocorreo.pe/politica/junta-de-portavoces-aceptar-renuncia-de-ppk-809304/|access-date= 3 June 2019|language= es|archive-date= 1 July 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180701030622/https://diariocorreo.pe/politica/junta-de-portavoces-aceptar-renuncia-de-ppk-809304/|url-status= live}}</ref> Although a section of congressmen on the left argued that the resignation of Kuczynski should not be accepted and that Congress should proceed to vacancy due to moral incapacity, the majority of congressmen considered that it should be accepted, to put an end to the crisis. When the preliminary text of the resolution of the Congress was published, in which it was indicated that the president had "betrayed the fatherland", Kuczynski announced that it would withdraw its letter of resignation if that qualification was maintained. The Board of Spokesmen decided then to omit that expression. The resignation was accepted with 105 votes in favor, 12 against and 3 abstentions.<ref>{{cite web|title= Congreso aceptó renuncia de PPK |trans-title=Congress accepted resignation from PPK |date=23 March 2018 |publisher=La República |url=http://larepublica.pe/politica/1215897-congreso-acepto-renuncia-de-ppk |access-date=3 June 2019 |language=es |archive-date=11 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411194721/https://larepublica.pe/politica/1215897-congreso-acepto-renuncia-de-ppk|url-status= live}}</ref> Moments later, the first vice-president [[Martín Vizcarra]] was sworn in as the new constitutional president of the Republic.<ref>{{cite web|title= Martín Vizcarra juró es tarde como nuevo presidente de la República |trans-title=Martín Vizcarra swore is late as the new president of the Republic |date=23 March 2018 |publisher=La República|url= http://larepublica.pe/politica/1215856-martin-vizcarra-este-viernes-jura-como-presidente-de-la-republica-en-vivo |access-date=3 June 2019|language= es|archive-date= 11 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411194715/https://larepublica.pe/politica/1215856-martin-vizcarra-este-viernes-jura-como-presidente-de-la-republica-en-vivo|url-status= live}}</ref> Soon after, the new government announced that its prime minister would be [[César Villanueva]], the main promoter for Kuczynski's vacancy.

===Vizcarra presidency===
====Anti-corruption initiative====
Following multiple corruption scandals facing the Peruvian government, on 28 July 2018, President Vizcarra called for [[2018 Peruvian constitutional referendum|a nationwide referendum]] to prohibit private funding for political campaigns, ban the reelection of lawmakers and to create a second legislative chamber.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-peru-vizcarra/peru-president-proposes-referendum-on-political-judicial-reform-idUSKBN1KI0LV|title=Peru president proposes referendum on political, judicial reform|last=Taj|first=Mitra|work=[[Reuters]]|access-date=17 August 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> ''[[The Washington Post]]'' stated that "Vizcarra's decisive response to a graft scandal engulfing the highest tiers of the judiciary ... has some Peruvians talking of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to restore integrity to public life and revive citizens’ waning faith in democracy".<ref name="Tegel-2018">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/corruption-scandals-have-ensnared-3-peruvian-presidents-now-the-whole-political-system-could-change/2018/08/11/0cd43ab0-9a82-11e8-a8d8-9b4c13286d6b_story.html|title=Corruption scandals have ensnared 3 Peruvian presidents. Now the whole political system could change.|last=Tegel|first=Simeon|date=12 August 2018|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|language=en|access-date=17 August 2018}}</ref> Leftist lawmaker [[Marisa Glave]], who was once a critic of Vizcarra, praised the move saying he had "connected with the people in a society that is both fed up with corruption but also deeply apolitical. It has put the Fujimoristas in check".<ref name="Tegel-2018" /> [[Transparency International]] also praised the move, stating that "This is a very important opportunity, one that is unlike previous opportunities because, in part, the president appears genuinely committed".<ref name="Tegel-2018" />

On 3 October, the [[Judiciary of Peru|Judicial Branch]] issued placement and arrest warrants against former President [[Alberto Fujimori]]. His lawyers had 5 days (from 4 October) to support an appeal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://peru21.pe/politica/juez-le-dio-plazo-alberto-fujimori-sustentar-recurso-anulacion-indulto-432631|title=Juez le dio plazo a Alberto Fujimori para sustentar recurso contra anulación de indulto|trans-title=Judge gave Alberto Fujimori time to appeal against annulment of pardon|publisher=Perú21|date=4 October 2018|access-date=3 June 2019|language=es|archive-date=18 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518075502/https://peru21.pe/politica/juez-le-dio-plazo-alberto-fujimori-sustentar-recurso-anulacion-indulto-432631|url-status=live}}</ref> On 9 October, the appeal filed by his lawyers was rejected. Next, the judge ordered to locate him and capture him, an end of the sea re-entered in a prison.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://diariocorreo.pe/politica/rechazan-apelacion-de-alberto-fujimori-y-seguira-en-estado-de-detencion-846767/|title=Rechazan recurso de Alberto Fujimori para suspender su reingreso a un penal|trans-title=They reject resource of Alberto Fujimori to suspend his reentry to a criminal|publisher=Diario Correo|date=9 October 2018|access-date=3 June 2019|language=es|archive-date=29 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329172924/https://diariocorreo.pe/politica/rechazan-apelacion-de-alberto-fujimori-y-seguira-en-estado-de-detencion-846767/|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Blockquote|I want to tell the authorities and politicians today, because I no longer have the strength to resist it. (...) I want to ask the President of the Republic, the members of the Judiciary, only one thing: please do not kill me. If I go back to prison, my heart will not endure it, it is too weak to be able to go through the same. Do not condemn me to death, I do not give more "|Alberto Fujimori, at the Centenario clinic, where he was interned, on 5 October 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://diariocorreo.pe/politica/alberto-fujimori-tras-anulacion-de-su-indulto-por-favor-no-me-maten-845667/|title=Alberto Fujimori tras anulación de su indulto: "Por favor, no me usen como arma política" (VIDEO)|trans-title=Alberto Fujimori after annulment of his pardon: "Please, do not use me as a political weapon" (VIDEO)|publisher=Diario Correo|date=5 October 2018|access-date=3 June 2019|language=es|archive-date=29 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329113040/https://diariocorreo.pe/politica/alberto-fujimori-tras-anulacion-de-su-indulto-por-favor-no-me-maten-845667/|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

As a result of the annulment of the pardon, the legislators at the end of Fujimorism, would approve a series of reforms.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.razon.com.mx/fujimori-clama-que-no-lo-maten/|title=En venganza, tumban fujimoristas reformas|trans-title=In revenge, they demolish Fujimorists reforms|work=[[La Razón (Mexico)|La Razón]]|date=5 October 2018|access-date=3 June 2019|language=es|archive-date=6 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006075112/https://www.razon.com.mx/fujimori-clama-que-no-lo-maten/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 10 October, in the Office of the Prosecutor of Peru, Judge Richard Concepción Carhuancho ordered a preliminary detention of [[Keiko Fujimori]] for 10 days, for the alleged illicit contributions to the [[2011 Peruvian general election|2011 campaign]] from [[Odebrecht]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/1335141-keiko-fujimori-enmarrocada-orden-detencion-fiscalia-video-fuerza-popular|title=Imágenes de Keiko Fujimori traslada enmarrocada de la Fiscalía [VIDEO]|trans-title=Images of Keiko Fujimori transposed from the Office of the Prosecutor [VIDEO]|publisher=La República|date=10 October 2018|access-date=3 June 2019|language=es|archive-date=12 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012102447/https://larepublica.pe/politica/1335141-keiko-fujimori-enmarrocada-orden-detencion-fiscalia-video-fuerza-popular|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://trome.pe/amp/trome/actualidad/politica/keiko-fujimori-detenida-presa-ministerio-publico-fiscalia-video-100053|title=Keiko Fujimori fue detenida por 10 días en el Ministerio Público por Caso Cócteles {{!}} Video|trans-title=Keiko Fujimori was detained for 10 days in the Public Ministry for Case Cocktails {{!}} Video|publisher=Trome|date=10 October 2018|access-date=3 June 2019|language=es|archive-date=29 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329172521/https://trome.pe/amp/trome/actualidad/politica/keiko-fujimori-detenida-presa-ministerio-publico-fiscalia-video-100053|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Blockquote|The Office of the Prosecutor does not cite any evidence in the judicial decision. A person is given preliminary detention when there is a well-founded risk, or a well-founded suspicion, of a procedural danger. What is the danger if we are going to the Attorney's office voluntarily? What is the risk of flight?|Defense of Keiko Fujimori at the time of the arrest.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://trome.pe/actualidad/keiko-fujimori-alberto-fujimori-habria-recaido-estaria-shock-enterarse-arresto-hija-video-fotos-100085-1-100085?foto=6|title=Keiko Fujimori: Alberto Fujimori habría recaído y estaría en shock tras enterarse del arresto de su hija {{!}} Video|trans-title=Keiko Fujimori: Alberto Fujimori would have relapsed and would be in shock after hearing about the arrest of his daughter {{!}} Video|publisher=Trome|date=10 October 2018|access-date=3 June 2019|language=es}} {{dead link|date=June 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>}}

On 17 October, after an appeal, Fujimori was released, along with five other detainees, because no feasible evidences of her responsibility were found.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.cooperativa.cl/noticias/mundo/peru/tribunal-recogio-la-apelacion-de-keiko-fujimori-y-ordeno-su/2018-10-17/233031.html|title=Tribunal recogió la apelación de Keiko Fujimori y ordenó su excarcelación|trans-title=Court picked up Keiko Fujimori's appeal and ordered her release|publisher=cooperativa.cl|date=17 October 2018|access-date=3 June 2019|language=es|archive-date=15 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215031231/https://www.cooperativa.cl/noticias/mundo/peru/tribunal-recogio-la-apelacion-de-keiko-fujimori-y-ordeno-su/2018-10-17/233031.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 15 November 2018, [[Alan García]] went to a meeting with the prosecution of money laundering, as part of an interrogation, carried out by, part of the prosecutor [[José Domingo Pérez]] due to irregularities in the conference payments of the former president, financed with money from Caja 2 of the structured operations division of the [[Odebrecht]] company, before this the prosecutor issued an order to prevent him from leaving the country for 18 months for García, even though at first he said he was at the disposition of the justice, that same night he went to the home of Carlos Alejandro Barros, ambassador of [[Uruguay]], where he remained until 3 December 2018, when Uruguayan President [[Tabaré Vázquez]], announced the rejection of Alan García's asylum request, consider that in Peru the three branches of the state functioned freely and without political persecution.<ref>{{cite news |title=¿Por qué Uruguay le negó el asilo diplomático a Alan García? |trans-title=Why did Uruguay deny diplomatic asylum to Alan García? |date=3 December 2018 |access-date=3 June 2019|newspaper= El Comercio |location=Lima |url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/alan-garcia-uruguay-le-nego-asilo-diplomatico-ex-presidente-noticia-583801 |language=es |archive-date=14 April 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190414173606/https://elcomercio.pe/politica/alan-garcia-uruguay-le-nego-asilo-diplomatico-ex-presidente-noticia-583801 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://rpp.pe/politica/judiciales/cronologia-alan-garcia-de-investigado-por-el-caso-odebrecht-a-solicitante-de-asilo-noticia-1164083|title=Cronología {{!}} Alan García: de la investigación por el caso Odebrecht al asilo rechazado|trans-title=Chronology {{!}} Alan García: from the investigation into the Odebrecht case to the rejected asylum|publisher=RPP|date=3 December 2018|access-date=3 June 2019|language=es|archive-date=3 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603022015/https://rpp.pe/politica/judiciales/cronologia-alan-garcia-de-investigado-por-el-caso-odebrecht-a-solicitante-de-asilo-noticia-1164083|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 9 December, Peruvians ultimately accepted three of four of the proposals in the referendum, only rejecting the final proposal of creating a bicameral congress when Vizcarra withdrew his support when the Fujimorista-led congress manipulated the proposals contents which would have removed power from the presidency.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/article222865970.html|title=Exit polling indicates Peruvians vote to fight corruption|last=Briceno|first=Franklin|date=9 December 2018|website=[[The Miami Herald]]|language=en|access-date=10 December 2018}}</ref>

On 21 December, the government formalized the formation of the High Level Commission for Political Reform. It was made up of political scientist Fernando Tuesta Soldevilla, as coordinator, and academics Paula Valeria Muñoz Chirinos, Milagros Campos Ramos, Jessica Violeta Bensa Morales and Ricardo Martin Tanaka Dongo.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Gobierno oficializa creación de la Comisión de Alto Nivel para la Reforma Política|trans-title=Government formalizes creation of the High Level Commission for Political Reform|date=21 December 2018|newspaper=El Comercio|location=Lima|url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/gobierno-oficializa-comision-alto-nivel-reforma-politica-noticia-nndc-590361|access-date=24 April 2020|language=es|archive-date=14 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414172037/https://elcomercio.pe/politica/gobierno-oficializa-comision-alto-nivel-reforma-politica-noticia-nndc-590361|url-status=live}}</ref> It was installed on 5 January 2019. Based on the report that said Commission gave, the government presented twelve proposals for political reform to Congress (11 April 2019). However, it excluded the issue of bicamerality, as it was recently rejected in the referendum.<ref name ="ges">{{Cite web|title=Martín Vizcarra: Gobierno presenta los 12 proyectos de reforma política al Congreso, pero excluye la bicameralidad|trans-title=Martín Vizcarra: Government presents the 12 political reform projects to Congress, but excludes bicamerality|date=11 April 2019|publisher=Gestión|location=Lima|url=https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/gobierno-vizcarra-presenta-12-proyectos-reforma-politica-congreso-263870|access-date=24 April 2020|language=es|archive-date=14 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414173400/https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/gobierno-vizcarra-presenta-12-proyectos-reforma-politica-congreso-263870|url-status=live}}</ref>

Among the three projects of constitutional reform was the one that sought the balance between the Executive and Legislative powers with the objective of establishing counterweights between both; the reform that modifies the impediments to be a candidate for any position of popular election, to improve the suitability of the applicants; and the reform that seeks to extend the regional and municipal mandate to five years, to coincide with the general elections. For the Legislative Branch, it was proposed that the election of the congressmen be carried out in the second presidential round; the elimination of the preferential vote and the establishment of parity and alternation in the list of candidates were proposed. On the other hand, for political parties, the aim was to promote internal democracy and citizen participation in the selection of candidates, establishing internal, open, simultaneous and compulsory elections organized by the ONPE. Other reforms related to the registration and cancellation in the registry of political organizations, and the requirements to keep the registration in force, as well as the regulation of the financing of political organizations, to avoid corruption. Another proposal was that the lifting of parliamentary immunity should not be the responsibility of Congress, but of the Supreme Court of Justice.<ref name ="ges" />

On 23 January 2019 [[Alberto Fujimori]] was transferred again to the Barbadillo prison in the [[Ate District]], where he was interned from 2007 to 2017, serving his sentence before being [[Pardon of Alberto Fujimori|pardoned]]. The former president was discharged from the Centennial Clinic after a medical board of the Institute of Legal Medicine evaluated him and determined that he is stable and that he can receive treatment for his ailments.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-internacional-46982435|title=Perú: el expresidente Alberto Fujimori vuelve a prisión tras más de 100 días internado en una clínica|trans-title=Peru: former president Alberto Fujimori returns to prison after more than 100 days in a clinic|publisher=BBC Mundo|date=24 January 2019|access-date=3 June 2019|language=es|archive-date=20 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420213027/https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-internacional-46982435|url-status=live}}</ref>

After a 3-day hearing, on 19 April, the Judiciary issued a sentence of 36 months of pre-trial detention for former President [[Pedro Pablo Kuczynski]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-47993242|title=Pedro Pablo Kuczynski: dictan 36 meses de prisión preventiva para el expresidente peruano|trans-title=Pedro Pablo Kuczynski: 36 months of preventive detention for the former president of Peru|publisher=BBC Mundo|date=19 April 2019|access-date=3 June 2019|language=es|archive-date=27 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527173826/https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-47993242|url-status=live}}</ref> However, due to illness, on 27 April he was exchanged for [[house arrest]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/ppk-revocan-prision-preventiva-disponen-detencion-domiciliaria-nndc-265304-noticia/|title=PPK: Revocan prisión preventiva y disponen detención domiciliaria|trans-title=PPK: Revoke preventive detention and dispose of house arrest|publisher=Gestión|date=27 April 2019|access-date=1 October 2019|language=es|archive-date=1 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001141350/https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/ppk-revocan-prision-preventiva-disponen-detencion-domiciliaria-nndc-265304-noticia/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 29 May, from the Great Hall of the Government Palace, President Vizcarra gave a message to the Nation, in which he announced his decision to raise the issue of trust before Congress in support of political reform. This, after the Constitution Commission, with a Fujimori majority, sent the bill on parliamentary immunity to the archive, and the Permanent Commission, also with a Fujimori majority, filed practically all the complaints weighing on the controversial prosecutor Chávarry. The president, accompanied by members of his ministerial cabinet and regional governors, stated that the issue of trust would be based on the approval, without violating its essence, of six of the bills for political reform, considered the most central:

{{Blockquote|
* Changes in parliamentary immunity, so that it does not become impunity.
* Convicted persons may not be candidates.
* Any citizen must participate in the selection of candidates from political organizations, through internal primary elections.
* Eliminate the preferential vote and let the population define it in that previous selection.
* Guarantee the political participation of women with parity and alternation.
* Prohibit the use of dirty money from electoral campaigns.}}

If Congress denied the issue of confidence, it would be the second time that it did (the previous one went to the Zavala cabinet of the government of Pedro Pablo Kuczynski), for which, according to the Constitution, faced with two refusals, the President would be empowered to dissolve Congress and call new parliamentary elections within four months.

The following day, Prime Minister [[Salvador del Solar]] appeared before Congress to deliver the official letter requesting that the time and date of the plenary session be established, in which he will support the issue of trust. In this document, Del Solar indicated that he would propose that the maximum term for the approval of the six political reforms be at the end of the current legislature (15 June); otherwise, it would consider that Congress denied confidence to the ministerial cabinet.<ref>{{cite news |title=Salvador Del Solar plantea plazo para que Congreso apruebe proyectos del Ejecutivo |trans-title=Salvador Del Solar sets deadline for Congress to approve executive projects |date=30 May 2019 |newspaper=El Comercio |location=Lima |url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/cuestion-confianza-solar-pide-congreso-fijar-fecha-sustentar-pedido-pleno-peru-noticia-639992 |access-date=24 April 2020 |language=es |archive-date=12 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612035158/https://elcomercio.pe/politica/cuestion-confianza-solar-pide-congreso-fijar-fecha-sustentar-pedido-pleno-peru-noticia-639992 |url-status=live |last1=La Rosa Vásquez |first1=Rocío }}</ref> In response to the request, Congress President Daniel Salaverry called the plenary session for 4 June to meet the Executive's request for confidence.<ref>{{cite news |title=Daniel Salaverry convoca a pleno por cuestión de confianza para el martes 4 de junio |trans-title=Daniel Salaverry calls a plenary session for confidence for Tuesday June 4 |date=30 May 2019 |newspaper=El Comercio |location=Lima |url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/cuestion-confianza-martin-vizcarra-congreso-sesionara-ver-cuestion-confianza-noticia-nndc-640153 |access-date=24 April 2020 |language=es |archive-date=8 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608070507/https://elcomercio.pe/politica/cuestion-confianza-martin-vizcarra-congreso-sesionara-ver-cuestion-confianza-noticia-nndc-640153 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The six political reform projects were defined as follows:<ref>{{cite web |title=Estos son los seis proyectos de reforma política que deberá aprobar el Congreso |trans-title=These are the six political reform projects that Congress must approve |date=4 June 2019 |publisher=Gestión |location=Lima |url=https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/son-seis-proyectos-reforma-politica-debera-aprobar-congreso-269113 |access-date=24 April 2020 |language=es |archive-date=8 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608062343/https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/son-seis-proyectos-reforma-politica-debera-aprobar-congreso-269113 |url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Blockquote|
* Constitutional reform that states that those convicted in the first instance may not be candidates.
* Legislative reform on internal democracy, which seeks for citizens to participate in the selection of candidates from political organizations, through internal primary elections.
* Legislative reform that seeks to guarantee women's political participation, with parity and alternation, as well as eliminating preferential voting.
* Legislative reform on registration and cancellation of political parties and regional political organizations.
* Legislative reform that seeks to prohibit the use of illegal money in electoral campaigns.
* Constitutional reform to make changes in the process of lifting parliamentary immunity, so that it does not become impunity.}}

The Constitution Commission invited jurists [[Raúl Ferrero Costa]], [[Natale Amprimo]], [[Ernesto Álvarez]], [[Aníbal Quiroga]] and [[Óscar Urviola]] to collect their opinions on the Executive's approach and the constitutionality of the approach.

On 4 June, [[Salvador del Solar]] appeared in the plenary session of Congress to expose and request the question of trust before the national representation. Previously, a previous question was rejected to evaluate the constitutionality of the trust request. Several voices in Congress considered that imposing a deadline for the approval of constitutional reforms and forcing their essence to be respected was unconstitutional, since reforms of this type were the exclusive responsibility of Congress and the Executive lacked the power to observe them. Due to these criticisms, Del Solar, in his presentation, lightened that part of his demand. He said that Congress was empowered to extend the legislature if necessary, and that it was not obliged to approve the bills to the letter, but could enrich them, although insisting that they should not alter their essence. "This question of trust is not a threat," he concluded.

After the presentation of the Prime Minister, the parliamentary debate began, which had to be extended until the following day. Finally, at noon on 5 June 2019, the vote was held. The question was approved with 77 votes in favor, 44 against and 3 abstentions. The members of the left-wing benches (Broad Front and New Peru) and the [[American Popular Revolutionary Alliance|Aprista Party]] voted against, while those of Popular Force did so in a divided manner (33 in favor, 16 against and 2 abstentions).<ref>{{cite news |title=Cuestión de confianza: Congreso aprobó, por mayoría, cuestión de confianza planteada por Salvador del Solar |trans-title=Question of confidence: Congress approved, by majority, trust issue raised by Salvador del Solar |date=5 June 2019 |newspaper=El Comercio |location=Lima |url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/congreso-aprobo-cuestion-confianza-salvador-solar-ecpm-noticia-641462 |access-date=24 April 2020 |language=es |archive-date=8 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608095605/https://elcomercio.pe/politica/congreso-aprobo-cuestion-confianza-salvador-solar-ecpm-noticia-641462 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The Constitution commission debated the opinions between 7 June and 20 July. A series of changes were made in the projects, but the most striking was what was committed with the latest opinion, on the lifting of immunity of parliamentarians. The Constitution Commission rejected the Executive's proposal that the Supreme Court be in charge of raising immunity for congressmen, providing that Congress continue to retain that prerogative. The only variant was that it proposed definite terms for Congress to lift immunity once the Judicial Power made the respective request. In addition, it was proposed that the request be given only when there is a final judgment.<ref>{{cite news |title=Comisión de Constitución aprueba dictamen sobre inmunidad |trans-title=Constitution Commission approves opinion on immunity |author1=Mario Mejía Huaraca |date=20 July 2019 |newspaper=El Comercio |location=Lima |url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/comision-constitucion-aprueba-dictamen-inmunidad-reforma-politica-noticia-ecpm-657244 |access-date=24 April 2020 |language=es |archive-date=22 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722144522/https://elcomercio.pe/politica/comision-constitucion-aprueba-dictamen-inmunidad-reforma-politica-noticia-ecpm-657244 |url-status=live}}</ref>

When the Prime Minister Salvador del Solar was consulted on the opinions approved by the Constitution Commission, he considered that only five respected the spirit of the reforms proposed by the Executive, and that the last one, on parliamentary immunity, meant a setback, since it did not respect the a matter of trust, which had arisen precisely when the Constitution Commission sent the same project to the archive.<ref>{{cite news |title=Salvador Del Solar: Cinco de seis proyectos de reforma responden al espíritu del Ejecutivo |trans-title=Salvador Del Solar: Five out of six reform projects respond to the spirit of the Executive |date=20 July 2019 |newspaper=El Comercio |location=Lima |url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/salvador-solar-cinco-seis-proyectos-reforma-responden-espiritu-ejecutivo-noticia-nndc-657271 |access-date=24 April 2020 |language=es |archive-date=21 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721173300/https://elcomercio.pe/politica/salvador-solar-cinco-seis-proyectos-reforma-responden-espiritu-ejecutivo-noticia-nndc-657271 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The six projects were submitted to the plenary session of Congress, were approved between 22 and 25 July, including modifications that further accentuated the distortion of the original projects of the Executive, especially regarding internal democracy and parliamentary immunity.

{{anchor|Complaint against Congress President Daniel Salaverry}}[[Daniel Salaverry]], elected president of Congress for the 2018–2019 legislature with the support of his [[Popular Force]] colleagues, starred in a series of confrontations with his colleagues, marked by a series of epithets, attempts at censorship and accusations, which led him to distance himself of Popular Force and approach President Vizcarra, who saw him as an ally to curb the dominance of Keiko Fujimori in Congress. This earned him retaliation from his former colleagues. An investigation of the television program Panorama denounced that Salaverry had repeatedly presented false data in his representation week reports (an obligation that congressmen have to visit the provinces they represent, to listen to the demands of their constituents), which included photos from other events.<ref>{{cite web |title=Daniel Salaverry: Denuncian que presentó datos falsos en sus informes de representación |trans-title=Daniel Salaverry: It's alleged that he presented false data in his representation reports |date=2 December 2018 |publisher=Perú21 |location=Lima |url=https://peru21.pe/politica/daniel-salaverry-detectan-datos-falsos-informes-representacion-nndc-444294 |access-date=24 April 2020 |language=es |archive-date=16 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616170544/https://peru21.pe/politica/daniel-salaverry-detectan-datos-falsos-informes-representacion-nndc-444294 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On 28 May 2020, Prime Minister [[Vicente Zeballos]] went to request the vote of confidence with his cabinet. He obtained 89 votes in favor, 35 against, and 4 abstentions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://andina.pe/agencia/noticia-gabinete-zeballos-llego-al-congreso-para-exposicion-ante-representacion-nacional-799228.aspx|title=Gabinete Zeballos llegó al Congreso para exposición ante la representación nacional|first=Empresa Peruana de Servicios Editoriales S. A. EDITORA|last=PERÚ|website=andina.pe|date=28 May 2020 |access-date=5 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radionacional.com.pe/noticias/politica/gabinete-zeballos-llego-al-congreso-por-el-voto-de-confianza|title=Gabinete Zeballos llegó al Congreso por el voto de confianza|date=28 May 2020|website=Nacional|access-date=5 August 2020}}</ref>

On 1 July, the Union for Peru bench presented a motion to interpellate Zeballos and the Minister of Justice, Fernando Castañeda, stating that urgent responses were required to the problems of public health, economic reactivation and corruption.45 As In response, the prime minister argued that although he respected the autonomy of Congress and both he and his ministers would continue to attend the summons issued by the different commissions, he considered that these motions (six in total, together with those previously presented against the heads of Economy, Health, Education and Development and Social Inclusion) did not add efforts to the fight against the coronavirus pandemic; but on the contrary, they sought to hinder the work of the Executive or to gain prominence.<ref>{{cite news|date=2020-07-15|title=Pedro Cateriano lidera renovado Gabinete Ministerial de cara a último año de gobierno  |url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/pedro-cateriano-liderara-renovado-gabinete-ministerial-de-cara-a-ultimo-ano-de-gobierno-martin-vizcarra-noticia/|access-date=13 May 2021 |newspaper=El Comercio|language=es |last1=Ortiz Martínez |first1=Sebastian }}</ref>

====Dissolution of Congress====
{{main|2019–2020 Peruvian constitutional crisis}}
[[File:Mercedes_Araoz_asume_la_presidencia_interina_del_Perú_en_reemplazo_de_Vizcarra.png|thumb|280px|The inauguration of Mercedes Aráoz as president]]
Demanding reforms in the Constitutional Court organic law, President Vizcarra called for a vote of no confidence on 27 September 2019, stating it was "clear the democracy of our nation is at risk".<ref name="Briceno-2019"/> Vizcarra and the [[Inter-American Commission on Human Rights]] criticized Congress for blocking a proposal for general elections while it quickly approved nominations to the [[Constitutional Court of Peru]] without investigating the backgrounds on nominees.<ref name="Briceno-2019">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/peru-leader-pushes-vote-that-could-let-him-dissolve-congress/2019/09/27/01d62eba-e15e-11e9-be7f-4cc85017c36f_story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001015322/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/peru-leader-pushes-vote-that-could-let-him-dissolve-congress/2019/09/27/01d62eba-e15e-11e9-be7f-4cc85017c36f_story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 October 2019|title=Peru leader pushes vote that could let him dissolve congress|last=Briceno|first=Franklin|date=27 September 2019|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=1 October 2019}}</ref> Vizcarra sought to reform the Constitutional Court nomination process and Congress' approval or disapproval of his proposal was seen "as a sign of confidence in his administration".<ref name="Briceno-2019" /> The Congress scheduled the election of the new members to the [[Constitutional Court of Peru]] for 30 September. On 30 September, the prime minister [[Salvador del Solar]] went to the [[Legislative Palace (Peru)|Legislative Palace]] to request the approval of an amendment to the Organic Law of the Constitutional Court as a matter of confidence. However, the Congress scheduled the minister to the afternoon. While the congress started the debate for the election of the new judges, the prime minister entered the Congress hemicycle room. Del Solar addressed the lawmakers to vote to reform the Constitutional Court nomination process. However, the Congress decided to postpone the vote of the amendment to the afternoon. The Congress named a new member to the [[Constitutional Court of Peru]].<ref name="The Guardian-2019">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/01/perus-president-dissolves-congress-to-push-through-anti-corruption-reforms|title=Peru's president dissolves Congress to push through anti-corruption reforms|date=1 October 2019|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=1 October 2019|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=7 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207120024/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/01/perus-president-dissolves-congress-to-push-through-anti-corruption-reforms|url-status=live}}</ref> Many of the Constitutional Court nominees selected by Congress were alleged to be involved in corruption.<ref name="Zarate-2019">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/03/world/americas/peru-corruption-economy.html|title=How a Political Crisis Seized Peru: Boom Times, Corruption and Chaos at the Top|last1=Zarate|first1=Andrea|date=2019-10-03|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=2019-10-08|last2=Casey|first2=Nicholas|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Hours later, the Congress approved the confidence motion. Notwithstanding the affirmative vote, Vizcarra stated that the appointment of a new member of the Constitutional Court constituted a ''[[de facto]]'' vote of no confidence.<ref name="The Guardian-2019" /><ref name="RPP-2019">{{cite web|url=https://rpp.pe/politica/actualidad/disolucion-del-congreso-martin-vizcarra-84-de-peruanos-apoya-la-disolucion-del-congreso-noticia-1223173|title=Disolución del Congreso {{!}} Martín Vizcarra {{!}} 84% de peruanos apoya la disolución del Congreso|trans-title=Dissolution of Congress {{!}} Martín Vizcarra {{!}} 84% of Peruvians support the dissolution of Congress|date=2019-10-06|website=[[Radio Programas del Perú|RPP]]|language=es|access-date=2019-10-07}}</ref> He said that it was the second act of no-confidence in his government, granting him the authority to dissolve Congress.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/peru-has-been-thrown-into-a-constitutional-crisis-allies-must-support-a-solution-that-preserves-its-social-progress/2019/10/02/7c2d662e-e532-11e9-b403-f738899982d2_story.html|title=Peru has been thrown into a constitutional crisis. Allies must support a solution that preserves its social progress.|date=2 October 2019|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=7 October 2019}}</ref> These actions by Congress, as well as the months of slow progress towards anti-corruption reforms, pushed Vizcarra to dissolve the legislative body on 30 September, with Vizcarra stating "Peruvian people, we have done all we could."<ref name="The Guardian-2019" /> Shortly after Vizcarra announced the dissolution of Congress, the legislative body refused to recognize the president's actions, declared Vizcarra as suspended from the presidency, and named Vice President [[Mercedes Aráoz]] as the interim president of Peru.<ref name="The Guardian-2019"/> Despite this, Peruvian government officials stated that the actions by Congress were void as the body was officially closed at the time of their declarations.<ref name="The Guardian-2019"/> By the night of 30 September, Peruvians gathered outside of the [[Legislative Palace (Peru)|Legislative Palace of Peru]] to protest against Congress and demand the removal of legislators<ref name="The Guardian-2019"/> while the heads of the [[Peruvian Armed Forces]] met with Vizcarra, announcing that they still recognized him as president of Peru and head of the armed forces.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/perus-police-joint-command-perus-050502956.html|title=Peru's Police and the Joint Command of Peru's Military Branches Say They Recognize Vizcarra as President and the Head of the Armed Forces and Police-Statements|date=1 October 2019|agency=[[Reuters]]|access-date=1 October 2019}}</ref> During the evening of 1 October 2019, Mercedes Aráoz, whom Congress had declared interim president, resigned from office.<ref name="Peru-2019">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-49901872|title=Peru's vice-president resigns amid power struggle|date=2 October 2019|publisher=[[BBC News]]|access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref> Aráoz resigned, hoping that the move would promote the new general elections proposed by Vizcarra and postponed by Congress.<ref name="Peru-2019" /><ref name="The Guardian-2019"/> President of Congress [[Pedro Olaechea]] was left momentarily speechless when informed of Aráoz's resignation during an interview.<ref name="Reuters-2019">{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-peru-politics-dispute-idUSKBN1WG4H2|title=Peru's VP gives up claim to the presidency in blow to opposition|date=2019-10-02|work=[[Reuters]]|access-date=2019-10-07|language=en}}</ref> At the time, no governmental institution or foreign government recognized Aráoz as president.<ref name="Reuters-2019" /> Vizcarra issued a decree calling for [[2020 Peruvian parliamentary election|legislative elections on 26 January 2020]].<ref name="Peru-2019" /> The [[Organization of American States]] released a statement saying that the Constitutional Court could determine the legality of President Vizcarra's actions and supported his call for legislative elections, saying "It's a constructive step that elections have been called in accordance with constitutional timeframes and that the definitive decision falls to the Peruvian people".<ref name="Reuters-2019" />

In the legislative elections that followed, [[Popular Force]] and their de facto coalition with the [[American Popular Revolutionary Alliance|Aprista Party]] fell. APRA lost all of its seats for the first time in 25 years, while Popular Force lost 58 former seats, being left with 15. The successor party to Peruvians for Change, [[Contigo (political party)|Contigo]], also lost all of its seats.<ref>{{cite web|date=26 January 2020|title=Elecciones 2020: Apra obtiene solo el 2.8 % de votos válidos y no formaría parte del Congreso, según Ipsos |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2020/01/26/elecciones-2020-apra-no-paso-la-valla-electoral-pero-no-perderia-su-inscripcion-por-ser-elecciones-extraordinarias-jne-atmp/|access-date=12 May 2021|website=larepublica.pe|language=es-PE}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=26 January 2020|title=Elecciones 2020: Partido Aprista no tendrá representación parlamentaria por primera vez en 25 años |url=https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/elecciones-2020-partido-aprista-no-tendra-representacion-parlamentaria-por-primera-vez-en-25-anos-nndc-noticia/|access-date=12 May 2021|website=Gestión|language=es}}</ref>

====First impeachment====
{{main|First impeachment of Martín Vizcarra}}
As Peru's economy declined due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Peru]], President Vizcarra faced increased political pressure from the newly inaugurated congress presided by [[Manuel Merino]], with the majority of the legislative body being controlled by those opposing Vizcarra.<ref name="Quigley-2020">{{Cite web|last=Quigley|first=John|date=10 September 2020|title=Peru's Congress to Consider Impeaching President Over Tapes|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-11/peru-president-says-opponents-seeking-to-remove-him-from-power|access-date=11 September 2020|website=[[Bloomberg.com|Bloomberg]]}}</ref> Finally on 5 July 2020, Vizcarra proposed a referendum to be held during the [[2021 Peruvian general election]] to remove [[parliamentary immunity]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Peru President to call referendum on elimination of parliamentary immunity|url=https://andina.pe/ingles/noticia-peru-president-to-call-referendum-on-elimination-of-parliamentary-immunity-804498.aspx|access-date=2020-09-17|website=[[Andina (news agency)|Andina]]|date=5 July 2020 |language=es}}</ref> though congress quickly responded by assembling that same night to pass their own immunity bill that contained proposals to remove immunity from the president, constitutional court and the human rights ombudsman while also strengthening some instances of parliamentary immunity.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Tegel|first=Simeon|date=20 July 2020|title=In Peru, Congress' Move Against Immunity Isn't What It Seems|url=https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/in-peru-congress-move-against-immunity-isnt-what-it-seems/|access-date=2020-09-17|website=[[Americas Quarterly]]|language=en-US}}</ref>

Since early 2020, investigations began surrounding a contract for a little-known singer by the name of Richard Cisneros to perform speeches for the Ministry of Culture.<ref name="Quigley-2020"/> It was alleged that an inexperienced Cisneros was able to receive payments totaling US$50,000 due to contacts in the Government Palace.<ref name="Quigley-2020"/> Investigators searched offices in the Government Palace on 1 June 2020 regarding the alleged irregularities.<ref name="Quigley-2020"/>

[[File:Mensaje a la Nación del presidente de la República, Martín Vizcarra Cornejo (10-09-2020).png|thumb|270px|Vizcarra responding to impeachment call in October 2020]]
According to [[IDL-Reporteros]], lobbyist [[Karelim López]] provided opposition lawmaker [[Édgar Alarcón|Edgar Alarcon]] audio recordings.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-29 |title=El entorno de los brujos |url=https://www.idl-reporteros.pe/el-entorno-de-los-brujos/ |access-date=10 May 2022 |website=[[IDL Reporteros]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-04 |title=¿Cuál es la relación entre Karelim López y Karem Roca? |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2021/12/03/cual-es-la-relacion-entre-karelim-lopez-y-karem-roca-pedro-castillo-bruno-pacheco/ |access-date=10 May 2022 |website=[[La República (Peru)|La Republica]] |language=es}}</ref> On 10 September 2020, Alarcon, who faced possible [[parliamentary immunity]] revocation related to alleged acts of corruption, released audio recordings purporting that Vizcarra acted with "[[Vacancy due to moral incapacity (Peru)|moral incapacity]]".<ref name="Deutsche Welle-2020">{{Cite web|date=11 September 2020|title=Presidente de Perú: "no voy a renunciar. Yo no me corro"|url=https://p.dw.com/p/3iJGZ|access-date=2020-09-11|website=[[Deutsche Welle]]|language=es-ES}}</ref><ref name="Andina">{{Cite web|title=Peru: President Vizcarra denounces plot against democracy|url=https://andina.pe/agencia/noticia-peru-president-vizcarra-denounces-plot-against-democracy-813332.aspx|access-date=2020-09-11|website=Andina|date=10 September 2020 |language=es}}</ref> The recordings allegedly contain audio of Vizcarra instructing his staff to say that he met with Cisneros only on a limited number of occasions and audio of Cisneros saying that he influenced Vizcarra's rise to office and decision to dissolve congress.<ref name="Deutsche Welle-2020" /><ref name="Andina" /> Vizcarra responded to the release of the recordings stating "I am not going to resign. I am not running away" and that the "audios have been edited and maliciously manipulated; as you can see, they purposely seek to turn a job-related claim into a criminal or political act, wanting to take words out of context and intend to accuse me of non-existent situations. Nothing is further from reality".<ref name="Andina" /> In a vote on 11 September, impeachment proceedings against Vizcarra were approved by congress; 65 voted for, 36 voted against and 24 abstained.<ref name="Quigley-2020"/>

On 12 September 2020, renowned reporter [[Gustavo Gorriti]] wrote that Merino had contacted the Commanding General of the [[Peruvian Navy]], Fernando Cerdán, notifying him that he was going to attempt to impeach Vizcarra and was hoping to assume the presidency.<ref name="ABC-2020">{{cite web|date=2020-09-12|title=El Gobierno peruano califica de "golpismo" la moción de censura contra Vizcarra|url=https://www.abc.es/internacional/abci-gobierno-peruano-califica-golpismo-mocion-censura-contra-vizcarra-202009130155_noticia.html|access-date=2020-09-17|website=[[ABC (Spain)|ABC]]|language=es}}</ref> [[Ministry of Defense (Peru)|Minister of Defense]] Jorge Chávez confirmed that Merino had tried to establish support with the Peruvian military.<ref name="ABC-2020" /> A second report was later released that Merino had contacted officials throughout Peru's government while preparing to create a transitional cabinet.<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-09-15|title=Incháustegui confirma que allegados a Acción Popular lo contactaron para integrar gabinete de Merino [VIDEO]|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2020/09/14/congreso-ministro-miguel-inchaustegui-confirma-que-miembros-de-bancada-accion-popular-le-pidieron-integrar-gabinete-de-manuel-merino/|access-date=2020-09-17|website=[[La República (Peru)|La República]]|language=es}}</ref> Following the release of these reports, support for impeaching Vizcarra decreased among members of congress.

On 14 September, President Vizcarra filed a lawsuit in the [[Constitutional Court of Peru]] to block the 18 September impeachment vote, stating to during a press conference, "Why has the president of Congress communicated with top military officials, and even planned pseudo-cabinets who would take over? That is conspiracy, gentlemen."<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-14|title=Facing impeachment, Peru's Vizcarra goes on the offensive|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20200914-facing-impeachment-peru-s-vizcarra-goes-on-the-offensive|access-date=2020-09-17|website=[[France 24]]|language=en}}</ref> [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Peru)|Minister of Foreign Affairs]] [[Mario Lopez]] also released a statement that Vizcarra's government had prepared to call upon the [[Organization of American States]]' [[Inter-American Democratic Charter]] if Vizcarra were to be impeached, with the charter stating "when the government of a member state considers that its democratic political institutional process or its legitimate exercise of power is at risk, it may request assistance from the Secretary General or the Permanent Council for the strengthening and preservation of its democratic system".<ref>{{cite web|title=Peru's FA Min: We are ready to invoke Inter-American Democratic Charter|url=https://andina.pe/ingles/noticia-perus-fa-min-we-are-ready-to-invoke-interamerican-democratic-charter-813693.aspx|access-date=2020-09-17|website=[[Andina (news agency)|Andina]]|date=14 September 2020 |language=es}}</ref> On 18 September, Vizcarra gave a speech for twenty minutes after appearing before congress. Following ten hours of deliberation, 32 members of congress supported the motion to remove Vizcarra from the office of the presidency, 78 voted against his removal and 15 abstained from voting, with 87 votes of 130 being required for his removal.<ref>{{cite news |date=19 September 2020|title=Peru's President Martin Vizcarra survives impeachment vote|website=[[Al Jazeera Arabic|Al Jazeera]]|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/09/peru-president-martin-vizcarra-survives-impeachment-vote-200919050215705.html|access-date=19 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=19 September 2020|title=Peru President Vizcarra survives impeachment vote|website=[[Bangkok Post]]|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/1988203/peru-president-vizcarra-survives-impeachment-vote|access-date=19 September 2020}}</ref>

President of Congress Manuel Merino was criticized by critics regarding how he hastily pushed for impeachment proceedings against Vizcarra.{{citation needed|date=June 2023}}<!-- Empty reference <ref name=":132"/--> If Vizcarra were to be removed from office, Merino would assume the presidential office given his position in congress and due to the absence of vice presidents for Vizcarra.{{efn|Peru has two Vice Presidents, a First and Second Vice President. The most recent holders of the office of First and Second Vice President were Vizcarra and [[Mercedes Aráoz]], respectively, who were elected in the 2016 election.<ref name="araoz"/><ref name="vizcarra"/> Vizcarra left the office of First Vice President vacant after he succeeded Kuzcynski as President, leaving Aráoz as the sole Vice President,<ref name="araoz">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-49890459|title=Disolución del Congreso en Perú: quién es Mercedes Aráoz, que renunció tras ser nombrada 'presidenta en funciones' por el Parlamento peruano para sustituir a Vizcarra|trans-title=Dissolution of Congress in Peru: who is Mercedes Aráoz, who resigned after being named "acting president" by the Peruvian Parliament to replace Vizcarra|work=[[BBC Mundo]]|language=es|date=2 October 2019|access-date=6 October 2019}}</ref> while Aráoz resigned as Second Vice President on 1 October 2019 after the [[Congress of the Republic of Peru|Congress of Peru]] named Aráoz acting President the day before after having declared Vizacarra temporarily unfit for office,<ref name="araoz"/><ref name="vizcarra"/><ref name="dissolution"/> despite Congress having itself been dissolved earlier that day by President Vizcarra, resulting in a [[2019 Peruvian constitutional crisis|constitutional crisis]].<ref name="araoz"/><ref name="vizcarra">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-49887706|title=Disolución del Congreso en Perú: 4 claves para entender el enfrentamiento entre Vizcarra y el Parlamento (y lo que puede pasar ahora)|trans-title=Dissolution of Congress in Peru: 4 keys to understanding the confrontation between Vizcarra and Parliament (and what can happen now)|work=[[BBC Mundo]]|language=es|date=2 October 2019|access-date=6 October 2019}}</ref><ref name="dissolution">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-49902081|title=Disolución del Congreso de Perú: las dudas sobre la legalidad de la decisión de Vizcarra de disolver la cámara y sobre la suspensión temporal del presidente|trans-title=Dissolution of the Congress of Peru: doubts about the legality of Vizcarra's decision to dissolve the chamber and about the temporary suspension of the president|work=[[BBC Mundo]]|language=es|date=2 October 2019|access-date=6 October 2019}}</ref><ref name="araoz2">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-49902304|title=Disolución del Congreso en Perú: renuncia Mercedes Aráoz, nombrada "presidenta en funciones" por el Parlamento en sustitución de Vizcarra|trans-title=Dissolution of Congress in Peru: Mercedes Aráoz, appointed "acting president" by Parliament to replace Vizcarra, resigns|work=[[BBC Mundo]]|language=es|date=2 October 2019|access-date=6 October 2019}}</ref><ref name="araoz3">{{cite tweet|first=Mercedes|last=Aráoz Fernández|author-link=Mercedes Aráoz|user=MecheAF|date=1 October 2019|title=He decidido renunciar irrevocablemente al cargo de Vicepresidenta Constitucional de la República. Las razones las explico en la carta adjunta. Espero que mi renuncia conduzca a la convocatoria de elecciones generales en el más breve plazo por el bien del país.|trans-title=I have decided to irrevocably resign from the post of Constitutional Vice President of the Republic. The reasons are explained in the attached letter. I hope that my resignation will lead to the calling of general elections in the shortest possible time for the good of the country.|language=es|number=1179221001936211968}}</ref> However, her resignation was not official until it was accepted on 7 May 2020 by the new Congress of Peru sworn on 16 March 2020, since in Peru the resignation of the vice president has to be accepted by Congress and that institution was not celebrating meetings given its dissolution.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/congreso-acepta-renuncia-de-mercedes-araoz-a-la-segunda-vicepresidencia-de-la-republica-noticia/|title=Congreso acepta renuncia de Mercedes Aráoz a la segunda vicepresidencia de la República|trans-title=Congress accepts the resignation of Mercedes Aráoz to the second vice-presidency of the Republic|work=Gestión|language=es|date=7 May 2020|access-date=7 May 2020}}</ref>}}

Further revelations showed that [[Ethnocacerism|ethnocacerist]] leader [[Antauro Humala]], brother of former president [[Ollanta Humala]], had used his [[Union for Peru]] party and its lawmakers as proxies in order to overthrow Vizcarra from power, raising concerns for possible anti-democratic activities and other intent.<ref name="Burt">{{cite web|last=Burt|first=Jo-Marie|date=17 September 2020|title=Vizcarra May Survive. But Peru's Politics Look Fragile.|url=https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/vizcarra-may-survive-but-perus-politics-look-fragile/|access-date=2020-09-17|website=[[Americas Quarterly]]|language=en-US|archive-date=24 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124034128/https://americasquarterly.org/article/vizcarra-may-survive-but-perus-politics-look-fragile/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="vice.com">{{cite web|title=A Notorious Rebel Leader Just Got Peru's President Impeached From Prison|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/wx8den/a-notorious-rebel-leader-just-got-perus-president-impeached-from-prison|access-date=2020-11-14|website=[[Vice News]]|date=12 November 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

====Removal====
{{main|Second impeachment and removal of Martín Vizcarra}}
After the first attempt failed, Edgar Alarcón of Union for Peru raised a new vacancy request in October 2020, based on the alleged acts of corruption by Vizcarra when he was regional Governor of Moquegua, which includes the testimony of an applicant to an effective collaborator in the "Construction Club Case" who stated that Obrainsa company paid him 1&nbsp;million soles and three other aspiring effective collaborators also point out that he received 1.3&nbsp;million soles from the Ingenieros Civiles y Contractors Generales SA consortium (ICCGSA), and Incot for the tender of the project for the construction of the Regional Hospital of Moquegua in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rpp.pe/politica/congreso/martin-vizcarra-upp-alcanza-firmas-para-presentar-mocion-de-vacancia-presidencial-noticia-1299692 |title=Presentan nueva moción de vacancia contra el Presidente de la República |trans-title=They present a new vacancy motion against the President of the Republic |publisher=RPP Noticias |first=Diego |last=Ayma |date=20 October 2020 |access-date=11 November 2020 |language=es}}</ref> The new impulse to the vacancy motion came, then, at the initiative of the left party [[Union for Peru|Unión por el Perú]], [[Broad Front (Peru)|Frente Amplio]], [[Podemos Perú|Podemos Peru]], [[Popular Action (Peru)|Popular Action]] and a number of independents. The motion received 27 signatures, surpassing the minimum threshold required to pose an impeachment inquiry (26 congressmen). The motion was presented to Congress on 20 October 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://exitosanoticias.pe/v1/presentan-nueva-mocion-de-vacancia-contra-el-presidente-martin-vizcarra/ |title=Presentan nueva moción de vacancia contra el presidente Martín Vizcarra |trans-title=They present a new vacancy motion against President Martín Vizcarra |publisher=Exitosa Noticias |date=20 October 2020 |access-date=11 November 2020 |language=es-PE}}</ref> A minimum of 52 votes from Congress is required to initiate impeachment proceedings.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/martin-vizcarra-el-presidente-afronta-una-nueva-mocion-de-vacancia-el-paso-a-paso-de-un-pedido-de-destitucion-upp-frente-amplio-podemos-congreso-noticia/ |title=Martín Vizcarra afronta nuevo pedido de destitución: el paso a paso de una moción de vacancia |newspaper=El Comercio |first=Sebastian |last=Ortiz Martínez |location=Lima |date=22 October 2020 |access-date=11 November 2020 |language=es}}</ref>

On 25 October, Walter Martos announced that the [[Peruvian Armed Forces|Armed Forces]] “[will not] allow the rule of law to be broken with such need of the people. At this moment, five months before the elections,” which was highly controversial because Article 169 of the Political Constitution of Peru states that the Armed Forces and National Police are not deliberative and are subordinate to the constitutional process.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.expreso.com.pe/politica/walter-martos-las-fuerzas-armadas-no-van-a-permitir-que-se-rompa-el-estado-de-derecho/ |title=Walter Martos: Las Fuerzas Armadas no van a permitir que se rompa el Estado de Derecho |trans-title=Walter Martos: The Armed Forces will not allow the rule of law to be broken |website=expreso.com.pe |date=26 October 2020 |access-date=11 November 2020 |language=es}}</ref> On October 27, Martos said that his statements were misinterpreted and stated that "We will never use [in reference to the government] the Armed Forces in political acts beyond their function."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radionacional.com.pe/noticias/politica/walter-martos-jamas-utilizaremos-a-las-fuerzas-armadas-en-actos-politicos |title=Walter Martos: "Jamás utilizaremos a las Fuerzas Armadas en actos políticos" |trans-title=Walter Martos: "We will never use the Armed Forces in political acts" |website=nacional.pe |date=27 October 2020 |access-date=11 November 2020 |language=es}}</ref>

[[File:Message_to_the_Nation_from_Martín_Vizcarra_Cornejo_-_9_November_2020.png|280px|thumb|Martín Vizcarra after being vacated from office, 9 November]]
On 2 November, the admission of the vacancy motion was debated in the plenary session of Congress, at the end of which the plenary session of Congress proceeded to vote on the motion, obtaining 60 votes in favor of starting the vacancy process, 40 votes in against and 18 abstentions. The motion received the unanimous support of the Union for Peru, other parliamentary groups decided to vote freely without a collegiate consensus, the parliamentarians of Alliance for Progress and the Purple Party were against, the parliamentarians of FREPAP and 3 legislators from other benches abstained.<ref>{{cite web|date=2 November 2020|title=Segundo intento de vacancia presidencial: los votos que definieron la admisión a trámite|trans-title=Second attempt at presidential vacancy: the votes that defined the admission for processing|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2020/11/02/congreso-con-60-votos-a-favor-se-aprobo-la-admision-de-mocion-de-vacancia-a-vizcarra/|access-date=11 November 2020|website=larepublica.pe|language=es-PE}}</ref>

Vizcarra minimized the vacancy motion, saying he trusted that in Parliament "sanity will prevail" and pointed out that "The only thing that we do not accept is that among the arguments they put in the vacancy motion, is that they use that transparent elections are not guaranteed. Please. That we do not accept. What we are doing here is guaranteeing totally transparent elections, because we do not participate in the elections. What greater transparency of this? ". He also accused some political parties of wanting to affect the general elections of 2021 since" they have no chance in the elections."<ref name="Gestión-2020">{{Cite web|date=21 October 2020|title=Vizcarra minimiza moción de vacancia presidencial por supuestos pagos de sobornos|trans-title=Vizcarra downplays motion for presidential vacancy for alleged bribery payments|url=https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/martin-vizcarra-minimiza-mocion-de-vacancia-presidencial-por-supuestos-pagos-de-sobornos-nndc-noticia|access-date=11 November 2020|publisher=Gestión|language=es}}</ref> Nevertheless, Merino ratified defense of the planned elections day. Likewise, the president of the Council of Ministers Walter Martos pointed out that "a group of congressmen is breaking the Constitution" and considered that it is "tremendously irresponsible" that a second vacancy motion is raised.<ref name="Gestión-2020" />

On the other hand, part of the congressmen of the [[Broad Front (Peru)|Broad Front]], specifically the congressmen Mirtha Vásquez and Rocío Silva Santisteban, expressed that they would not support the vacancy motion and issued a statement in which they said that "We cannot and do not want to stop putting life first, and especially life, at the risk of a fresh start to change health strategies that could lead to more and more deaths.<ref>{{cite web|date=21 October 2020|title=Congresistas Rocío Silva Santisteban y Mirtha Vásquez rechazan vacancia contra el presidente Martín Vizcarra|trans-title=Congressmen Rocío Silva Santisteban and Mirtha Vásquez reject vacancy against President Martín Vizcarra|url=https://www.expreso.com.pe/politica/congresistas-rocio-silva-santisteban-y-mirtha-vasquez-rechazan-vacancia-contra-el-presidente-martin-vizcarra/|access-date=11 November 2020|website=expreso.com.pe|language=es}}</ref>

Reports emerged following the vote from [[IDL-Reporteros]] that multiple congressmen pledged support to Vizcarra and later voted for his removal on 9 November.<ref name="IDL-Reporteros-2020">{{cite web|date=12 November 2020|title=Cómo derrocar un Presidente|url=https://www.idl-reporteros.pe/como-derrocar-un-presidente-1/|access-date=2020-11-13|website=[[IDL-Reporteros]]|quote='''Spanish:''' Aposentado en Palacio, respaldado por una organización de ultraderecha con una larga lista de almirantes, ... Merino ha pasado su primera noche como ‘presidente’ '''English:''' Resting in the Palace, backed by a far-right organization with a long list of admirals, ... Merino has spent his first night as 'president'}}</ref> While visiting [[Cajamarca]] on 6 November, Vizcarra did not appear worried about the vacancy vote according to one source, though some on the trip with Vizcarra appeared distant and refused to be in photographs with the president.<ref name="IDL-Reporteros-2020" /> Somos Peru congress woman Felícita Tocto told Vizcarra that she would vote against the vacancy and encourage colleagues to do the same, though she would later vote in favor of his removal.<ref name="IDL-Reporteros-2020" />

On 9 November, initial discussions between Vizcarra and congressmen left him feeling positive as he appeared in Congress.<ref name="IDL-Reporteros-2020" /> While at the legislative palace, Vizcarra criticized legislators who sought to vacate him from office, saying that sixty-eight congressmen were being investigated for alleged crimes themselves.<ref name="IDL-Reporteros-2020" /> Vizcarra also said that the contracts in question were administered by an agency assigned by the [[United Nations]], not his own office.<ref>{{cite news|date=9 November 2020|title=Peru's President Vizcarra ousted in Congress impeachment vote|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/2017191/perus-president-vizcarra-ousted-in-congress-impeachment-vote|website=[[Bangkok Post]]}}</ref> Ministerial staff stated that following Vizcarra's comments, the dozens of legislators that Vizcarra mentioned became determined to convince other members of congress to support votes for his removal, making strong arguments against Vizcarra.<ref name="IDL-Reporteros-2020" />

Hans Troyes of [[Popular Action (Peru)|Popular Action]] reported that in the intermission room of the legislative palace, those in support of Vizcarra's removal told legislators that said they wanted to abstain or vote against the president's removal that they would refuse to sign their bills proposed in congress.<ref name="IDL-Reporteros-2020" /> After returning from a trip to [[Junín Province|Junín]] after his speech in congress, Vizcarra received a call from [[César Acuña]]–who had told Vizcarra his Alliance for Progress party would not support his removal–with Acuña warning Vizcarra that his party would vote in support of his removal.<ref name="IDL-Reporteros-2020" /> Vizcarra did not propose any defense to Acuña and ended the call shortly after learning this information.<ref name="IDL-Reporteros-2020" />

Shortly before the vacancy vote, Vizcarra and his ministerial staff learned that many congressmen had turned away from supporting him and calls to legislators were not being answered.<ref name="IDL-Reporteros-2020" /> After learning what the outcome of the vote would be, Vizcarra gathered his ministers at the Government Palace at 7:30pm PET, telling those close to him "Up to here and no more ... I'm tired", telling ministers "I don't want to give the impression that I want to cling to power".<ref name="IDL-Reporteros-2020" /> He then spoke to the public and departed from the [[Government Palace (Peru)|Government Palace]] on the same night.<ref>{{cite web|date=9 November 2020|title=Martín Vizcarra dejó Palacio de Gobierno tras golpe de Estado [RESUMEN]|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2020/11/09/vacancia-del-presidente-martin-vizcarra-en-vivo-ultimas-noticias-tras-aprobacion-del-congreso/|website=larepublica.pe}}</ref>

The controversial removal of Vizcarra was defined as a [[Coup d'état|coup]] by many Peruvians,<ref>{{cite web|title=Peru's swears in new leader as political turmoil hits nation|url=https://www.startribune.com/peru-impeachment-plunges-nation-into-new-political-turmoil/573024511/|access-date=2020-11-13|website=[[Star Tribune]]|date=10 November 2020 }}</ref> political analysts<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-11-12|title=They threw out the president. Now Peru's anti-corruption drive looks in doubt|url=https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-11-12/peru-president-ousted-anti-corruption-drive-in-doubt|access-date=2020-11-13|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|language=en-US}}</ref> and media outlets in the country.<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-11-10|title=Golpe de estado editorial|url=https://larepublica.pe/opinion/2020/11/10/golpe-de-estado-editorial/|access-date=2020-11-13|website=[[La República (Peru)|La República]]|language=es-PE}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=2020-11-12|title=Manuel Merino presentó al Gabinete de Antero Flores-Aráoz en medio de protestas |url=https://elcomercio.pe/videos/pais/manuel-merino-presento-al-gabinete-de-antero-flores-araoz-en-medio-de-protestas-nnav-tvpe-video-videos-pais-noticia/|access-date=2020-11-13|website=[[El Comercio (Peru)|El Comercio]]|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2020-11-11|title=Manuel Merino: crean pedido para rechazar vacancia contra Martín Vizcarra y el golpe de Estado|url=https://libero.pe/ocio/1593090-manuel-merino-firmar-peticion-rechazar-golpe-martin-vizcarra-change-org-nuevo-presidente-peru-2020-accion-popular|access-date=2020-11-13|website=Líbero|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Trujillo: miles de ciudadanos marchan contra gobierno de Manuel Merino|url=https://elpopular.pe/actualidad/2020/11/12/golpe-estado-miles-ciudadanos-trujillo-marchan-gobierno-manuel-merino-video-37380|access-date=2020-11-13|website=El Popular|date=12 November 2020 |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2020-11-10|title=Inconformes consideran toma de protesta de Manuel Merino como golpe de Estado|url=https://noticieros.televisa.com/videos/inconformes-consideran-toma-de-protesta-de-manuel-merino-como-golpe-de-estado/|access-date=2020-11-13|website=[[Noticieros Televisa]]|language=es-MX}}</ref> Revelations were later made again of [[Antauro Humala]]'s involvement, which raised even more concerns about possible systemic corruption.<ref name="vice.com"/>

===Merino presidency===
[[File:Protestas en Lima por golpe de estado parlamentario 16.jpg|thumb|325px|A protest against Merino in [[Lima]] on 12 November 2020]]
Following Vizcarra's controversial removal from office, it was announced that [[Manuel Merino]] would assume the presidency, [[2020 Peruvian protests|flaring up unrest]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-13|title=Los jóvenes protestan en Perú a la espera de que el Constitucional se pronuncie sobre la salida de Vizcarra|url=https://www.abc.es/internacional/abci-jovenes-protestan-peru-espera-constitucional-pronuncie-sobre-salida-vizcarra-202011130138_noticia.html|access-date=31 May 2021 |website=abc|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-54879494|title=Quién es Manuel Merino, el presidente del Congreso de Perú que reemplaza al destituido Martín Vizcarra|newspaper=BBC News Mundo }}</ref> Merino was inaugurated at 10:42&nbsp;a.m. (Peru Time) on 10 November 2020, in the midst of [[2020 Peruvian protests|protests across the country]] against his ascension to the presidency.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rpp.pe/peru/actualidad/sucesion-presidencial-minuto-a-minuto-manuel-merino-asume-hoy-el-mandato-tras-declararse-vacancia-contra-martin-vizcarra-live-696|title=Manuel Merino juró como presidente de la República tras la vacancia de Martín Vizcarra [En Vivo]|date=10 November 2020|website=RPP}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/es/américa-latina/20201110-peru-crisis-manuel-merino-destitution-vizcarra|title=Manuel Merino, tercer presidente de Perú en cuatro años de crisis política|date=10 November 2020|website=France 24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/10/world/americas/peru-impeachment.html |title=Peru's Surprise New Leader Stokes Anger, Fear in a Traumatized Country |work=The New York Times |date=10 November 2020 |last1=Taj |first1=Mitra |last2=Kurmanaev |first2=Anatoly }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-peru-politics-idUSKBN27Q1WP|title=Head of Peru's Congress assumes presidency, vows to respect election timetable|first=Marco|last=Aquino|newspaper=Reuters |date=11 November 2020|via=www.reuters.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/perus-manuel-merino-is-sworn-in-as-president-11605024644|title=Peru's Manuel Merino Is Sworn In as President|first=Ryan|last=Dube|date=11 November 2020|work=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref> The following day, under the pressure of forming a new government, he named [[Ántero Flores Aráoz]], a conservative politician and former [[Ministry of Defense (Peru)|Minister of Defense]] under former President [[Alan García]], as [[Prime Minister of Peru|Prime Minister]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/antero-flores-araoz-confirma-que-sera-primer-ministro-de-manuel-merino-gabinete-vacancia-martin-vizcarra-noticia/|title=Ántero Flores-Aráoz juró como presidente del Consejo de Ministros|newspaper=El Comercio |date=11 November 2020|via=www.elcomercio.pe}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/gobierno/antero-flores-araoz-el-politico-conservador-que-asume-la-pcm-perfil-manuel-merino-noticia/|title=Antero Flores Aráoz, el político conservador que asume la PCM |first=Jonathan|last=Castro|newspaper=El Comercio |date=11 November 2020|via=www.elcomercio.pe}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/gabinete-manuel-merino-antero-flores-araoz-este-es-el-perfil-y-pensamiento-del-nuevo-primer-ministro-noticia/|title=Ántero Flores-Aráoz, este es el perfil y pensamiento del nuevo primer ministro|date=11 November 2020|via=www.gestion.pe}}</ref> The Secretary General of the Organization of American States, [[Luis Almagro]], expressed his concern about the issue and "reiterates that it is the responsibility of the Constitutional Court of Peru to rule on the legality and legitimacy of the institutional decisions adopted."<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-11-11|title=OEA no reconoce a Merino como presidente y pide al TC pronunciarse sobre su legitimidad|url=https://picanews.pe/index.php/2020/11/11/oea-no-reconoce-a-merino-como-presidente-y-pide-al-tc-pronunciarse-sobre-su-legitimidad/|access-date=31 May 2021 |website=Pica News|language=en-US}}</ref>

A march, beginning at 5 PM PET on 12 November, occurred throughout Peru to demand the resignation of President Manuel Merino, with a primary location being at [[Plaza San Martín, Lima|Plaza San Martín]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://peru21.pe/lima/vacancia-presidencial-convocan-a-marcha-nacional-para-este-jueves-en-la-plaza-san-martin-para-pedir-la-salida-del-presidente-manuel-merino-cercado-de-lima-martin-vizcarra-noticia/ |title=Convocan a marcha nacional este jueves en la Plaza San Martín para pedir la salida del presidente Manuel Merino |trans-title=They call for a national march this Thursday in Plaza San Martín to request the departure of President Manuel Merino |publisher=Perú21 |date=12 November 2020 |access-date=12 November 2020 |language=es}}</ref> Richard Cisneros, who was the singer involved in Vizcarra's first impeachment scandal, arrived at the plaza minutes before the march began, angering protesters who threw objects at him until he took refuge inside a nearby fast food store.<ref>{{cite news|date=2020-11-12|title=Richard Swing fue agredido con botellas por manifestantes y fue obligado a salir de la plaza San Martín |url=https://elcomercio.pe/lima/sucesos/richard-swing-fue-agredido-con-botellas-por-manifestantes-y-fue-obligado-a-salir-de-la-plaza-san-martin-nndc-noticia/|access-date=2020-11-14|website=[[El Comercio (Peru)|El Comercio]]|language=es}}</ref> The newly named Minister of Justice, Delia Muñoz, described calls for protests as "propaganda" while new Minister of Labor Juan Sheput falsely said "the protests are waning" and told the public that businesses would be hurt by the protests.<ref>{{cite web|date=12 November 2020|title="No sé qué les fastidia", dice el primer ministro de Perú ante las masivas protestas|url=https://es.noticias.yahoo.com/masivas-marchas-per%C3%BA-rechazo-gobierno-023826178.html|access-date=2020-11-13|website=[[EFE]]|language=es-ES|quote='''Spanish:''' ... un Ejecutivo de "ancha base" pero que finalmente es de corte conservador, con miembros de derecha y ultraderecha. '''English:''' ... an Executive with a "broad base" but that is ultimately conservative, with members of the right and far right.}}</ref>

Following the death of two protesters during clashes on 14 November,<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-11-15|title=Inti Sotelo Camargo {{!}} Padre de la segunda víctima en protesta: Flores-Aráoz decía no pasa nada y ahora mi hijo está muerto' |url=https://peru21.pe/lima/inti-sotelo-camargo-padre-de-la-segunda-victima-en-protesta-flores-araoz-decia-no-pasa-nada-y-ahora-mi-hijo-esta-muerto-noticia/|access-date=2020-11-15|website=Peru21|language=es}}</ref>  Merino stepped down as president, citing that he acted within the law when he was sworn into office the previous Tuesday and that he would "do everything in my power to guarantee a constitutional succession."<ref>{{Cite web|author=Stefano Pozzebon, Claudia Rebaza and Jaide Timm-Garcia|title=Peru's interim president resigns after just five days|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/15/americas/peru-interim-president-resigns-intl/index.html|access-date=2020-11-16|website=CNN|date=15 November 2020 }}</ref>

===Sagasti presidency===
[[File:Protests in Miraflores - November 11 - 50607038161.jpg|thumb|left|[[Antifujimorism|Antifujimorist]] and anti-Merino message scribbled onto a public poster of [[Vladimiro Montesinos]] amidst protests, 11 November 2020]]
On 16 November 2020, [[Francisco Sagasti]] was elected by the legislature to be the new [[President of the Congress of the Republic of Peru|President of Congress]]. Due to vacancies in the position of President and Vice President, he became President of Peru by the line of succession.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-16|title=Peru's Congress Selects Centrist Lawmaker To Be New Leader|url=https://apnews.com/article/peru-no-president-crisis-01994ca2555095e91f2db10e0af5d043|access-date=2020-11-16|website=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> Upon taking office, he established his four main priorities for his temporary tenure; the management of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Peru]], combatting corruption within the country, creating a stable economy and the promotion of education to rural areas.<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-11-18|title=Francisco Sagasti asume compromisos para su gobierno de transición |url=https://peru21.pe/politica/francisco-sagasti-asume-compromisos-para-su-gobierno-de-transicion-noticia/|access-date=2020-11-18|website=Peru21|language=es}}</ref> Support for Sagasti's presidency was expressed by [[Chile]], the [[European Union]], [[United Kingdom]] and the [[United States]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-18|title=Francisco Sagasti {{!}} Presidente Perú {{!}} Comunidad internacional saludó la asunción del nuevo presiden del Perú |url=https://peru21.pe/mundo/francisco-sagasti-presidente-peru-comunidad-internacional-saludo-la-asuncion-del-nuevo-presiden-del-peru-nndc-noticia/|access-date=2020-11-18|website=Peru21|language=es}}</ref> Sagasti, as well as the attorney general, launched a probe against Manuel Merino for possible human rights violations.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Burt|first=Jo-Marie|date=19 November 2020|title=Can Francisco Sagasti Hold Peru Together?|url=https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/can-francisco-sagasti-hold-peru-together/|access-date=2020-12-07|website=[[Americas Quarterly]]|language=en-US}}</ref>

Like preceding presidents, ''[[Americas Quarterly]]'' wrote that Sagasti faced difficult relations with congress and that he will need to manage the effects of the two governments before him, including holding those responsible for violently responding to protests accountable for their actions.<ref name="Reuters-2019" /> Sagasti attempted to reform the leadership of the National Police due to their use of violence during protests, removing Commander General Orlando Velasco from leading the National Police.<ref name="EFE">{{Cite web|title=Renuncias en la Policía de Perú en rechazo a pesquisas por violencia|url=https://es-us.noticias.yahoo.com/renuncias-polic%C3%ADa-per%C3%BA-rechazo-pesquisas-004924603.html|access-date=2020-12-03|website=[[EFE]]|date=2 December 2020 |language=es-US}}</ref> Eighteen additional generals of the National Police resigned or were dismissed,<ref name="EFE"/><ref name="peru21.pe">{{Cite web|date=2020-12-08|title=Cluber Aliaga presentó su carta de renuncia al ministerio del Interior tras cinco días en el cargo {{!}} Cluber Aliaga {{!}} Ministerio del Interior {{!}} Francisco Sagasti|url=https://peru21.pe/politica/ministro-del-interior-cluber-aliaga-presenta-su-carta-de-renuncia-mininter-noticia/|access-date=2020-12-08|website=[[Peru21]]|language=es}}</ref> with Interior Minister Rubén Vargas resigning following the change to leadership.<ref name="Reuters-2020" /> Five days later Vargas' successor Cluber Aliaga would also resign in disagreement with Sagasti, defending the use of force by police saying that protesters initiated violence.<ref name="peru21.pe"/> Sagasti was eligible to seek election for a full term, however the [[Purple Party]] nominated [[Julio Guzmán]] as their candidate for the [[2021 Peruvian general election]], with Sagasti on the ticket as [[Vice President of Peru|Second Vice President]].<ref name="Zarate-2019" />

On November 27, former president Martín Vizcarra considered that Sagasti's replacement in the senior ranks "is not legal" and that the Sagasti government must "respect the institutional framework."<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-28|title=Vizcarra sobre cambio de comandancia general de la PNP: "No estoy de acuerdo, no es legal" {{!}} Francisco Sagasti {{!}} César Cervantes |url=https://peru21.pe/lima/vizcarra-sobre-cambio-de-comandancia-general-de-la-pnp-no-estoy-de-acuerdo-no-es-legal-francisco-sagasti-cesar-cervantes-nndc-noticia/|access-date=14 May 2021 |website=Peru21|language=es}}</ref> On December 1, the former president Francisco Morales Bermúdez with former Defense Ministers Julio Velásquez Giacarini, Roberto Chiabra, Jorge Kisic Wagner, Jorge Moscoso, Walter Martos and Jorge Chávez Cresta, 12 former heads of the Joint Command of the Armed Forces and former general commanders of the Army, Navy and of the Air Force described that the change in the Police was "illegal" and maintained that the decision "is contrary to the legal system, affects the morale of the National Police of Peru and undermines the work that this institution carries out.<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-12-02|title=Excomandantes generales de las FFAA se pronuncian en contra del relevo de altos mandos de la PNP|url=https://www.expreso.com.pe/actualidad/excomandantes-generales-de-las-ffaa-se-pronuncian-en-contra-del-relevo-de-altos-mandos-de-la-pnp/|access-date=14 May 2021 |website=Diario Expreso}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2020-12-02|title=Policía Nacional: oficiales en situación de retiro de las Fuerzas Armadas rechazaron cambios en los altos mandos de la PNP Rubén Vargas |url=https://peru21.pe/lima/policia-nacional-oficiales-en-situacion-de-retiro-de-las-fuerzas-armadas-rechazaron-cambios-en-los-altos-mandos-de-la-pnp-ruben-vargas-nndc-noticia/|access-date=14 May 2021 |website=Peru21|language=es}}</ref>

On December 2, journalist Nicolás Lúcar released the testimony of a former member of the deactivated Special Intelligence Group (GEIN) who revealed that an alleged half-brother of the Minister of the Interior was a leader of the Shining Path terrorist group;<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-12-02|title=Hermano del ministro del interior fue dirigente del grupo terrorista Sendero Luminoso|url=https://exitosanoticias.pe/v1/hermano-del-ministro-del-interior-fue-dirigente-del-grupo-terrorista-sendero-luminoso/|access-date=16 May 2021 |website=Exitosa Notícias|language=es-PE}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-12-02|title=ExGein Marcos Castro: Rubén Vargas es medio hermano de cabecilla terrorista Zenón 'El Zorro' Vargas|url=https://www.expreso.com.pe/politica/ministro-ruben-vargas-es-hermano-de-cabecilla-terrorista-zenon-el-zorro-vargas/|access-date=16 May 2021 |website=Diario Expreso}}</ref> information denied by Minister Vargas.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-12-02|title=Rubén Vargas rechaza que su hermano pertenezca a Sendero Luminoso|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2020/12/02/ruben-vargas-rechaza-que-su-hermano-pertenezca-a-sendero-luminoso/|access-date=16 May 2021 |website=larepublica.pe|language=es-PE}}</ref> A few hours later, Rubén Vargas Céspedes resigned from the Ministry of the Interior.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-12-02|title=Rubén Vargas renunció a cargo de ministro del Interior |url=https://diariocorreo.pe/politica/ruben-vargas-renuncio-a-cargo-de-ministro-del-interior-noticia/|access-date=16 May 2021 |website=Correo|language=es}}</ref> He was replaced by Cluber Aliaga Lodtmann.

On 12 March 2021, the prosecutor Germán Juárez Atoche requested preventive detention for 18 months for former president [[Martín Vizcarra]]. This, within the framework of the investigation for the alleged crimes of aggravated collusion, improper passive bribery and illicit association to commit a crime.<ref>{{cite web|date=13 March 2021|title=Perú: solicitan prisión preventiva para expresidente Martín Vizcarra|url=https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/2021/03/13/fiscal-en-peru-solicita-prision-preventiva-para-martin-vizcarra/|access-date=12 May 2021|website=CNN|language=es}}</ref> The hearing was scheduled for 17 March,<ref>{{cite web|title=Martín Vizcarra: Se suspendió hasta el jueves la audiencia de prisión preventiva contra exmandatario|url=https://canaln.pe/actualidad/martin-vizcarra-miercoles-17-marzo-se-realizara-audiencia-prision-preventiva-contra-expresidente-n432452|access-date=12 May 2021|website=canaln.pe|date=17 March 2021 |language=es}}</ref> where Judge María de los Ángeles Álvarez Camacho, after hearing both reasons from the prosecution and the defense of Vizcarra, was rejected <ref>{{cite web|title=Poder Judicial rechazó pedido de prisión preventiva contra Martín Vizcarra y le impone comparecencia con restricciones|url=https://canaln.pe/actualidad/martin-vizcarra-se-reanudo-audiencia-prision-preventiva-18-meses-contra-expresidente-n432664|access-date=12 May 2021|website=canaln.pe|date=19 March 2021 |language=es}}</ref> the request for preventive detention and appearance with restrictions was imposed.<ref>{{cite web|last=PERÚ|first=Empresa Peruana de Servicios Editoriales S. A. EDITORA|title=Martín Vizcarra: Poder Judicial rechaza prisión preventiva en su contra|url=https://andina.pe/agencia/noticia-martin-vizcarra-poder-judicial-rechaza-prision-preventiva-su-contra-838042.aspx|access-date=12 May 2021|website=andina.pe|date=18 March 2021 |language=es}}</ref>

====2021 elections and controversy====
{{main|2021 Peruvian general election}}
The 2021 elections contained the most amount of candidates of any recent elections, containing almost 18 candidates. Among them were [[Pedro Castillo]], who had led the 2017 Teacher's strike; [[Keiko Fujimori]]; and businessman [[Rafael López Aliaga]]. Castillo's campaign with the Communist [[Free Peru]] Party, which often promoted the views of [[Fidel Castro]] and [[Hugo Chávez]], brought controversy due to their views [[List of incidents of xenophobia during the Venezuelan refugee crisis|regarding]] [[Venezuelans]] in the country,<ref>{{Cite news|title=Al menos 14 personas mueren en Perú en un ataque que las autoridades atribuyen a Sendero Luminoso|language=es|agency=BBC News Mundo|url=https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-57235704|url-status=live|access-date=24 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525160523/https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-57235704|archive-date=25 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=El Comercio|author-link=El Comercio (Perú)|date=24 May 2021|title=Vraem: 18 personas fueron asesinadas por miembros de Sendero Luminoso|url=https://elcomercio.pe/peru/junin/vraem-18-personas-fueron-asesinadas-por-miembros-de-sendero-luminoso-en-poblado-de-vizcatan-del-ene-noticia/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525202656/https://elcomercio.pe/peru/junin/vraem-18-personas-fueron-asesinadas-por-miembros-de-sendero-luminoso-en-poblado-de-vizcatan-del-ene-noticia/|archive-date=25 May 2021|access-date=24 May 2021|newspaper=El Comercio|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=6 February 2021|title=Peru's crime worries tainting Venezuelans who want to work|url=https://apnews.com/article/business-peru-immigration-coronavirus-pandemic-united-nations-77420fe88a9e7ee1dbd9c2646af8bd2b|access-date=10 February 2021|work=[[Associated Press]]|archive-date=6 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206220730/https://apnews.com/article/business-peru-immigration-coronavirus-pandemic-united-nations-77420fe88a9e7ee1dbd9c2646af8bd2b|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as campaigning for the expulsion of [[Drug Enforcement Administration|DEA]] agents<ref>{{Cite web|last=noticie1|date=2021-07-09|title=Pedro Castillo expulsaría a la DEA del Perú|url=https://eldiariodelatinoamerica.com/pedro-castillo-expulsaria-a-la-dea-del-peru/|access-date=2021-10-17|website=El Diario de Latinoamérica|language=es|archive-date=17 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017193123/https://eldiariodelatinoamerica.com/pedro-castillo-expulsaria-a-la-dea-del-peru/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the pardon of rebel leader [[Antauro Humala]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=12 April 2021|title=Pedro Castillo asegura que indultará a Antauro Humala si es elegido presidente|url=https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/pedro-castillo-asegura-que-indultara-a-antauro-humala-si-es-elegido-presidente-noticia/ |access-date=13 April 2021|website=Gestión|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=4 January 2005|title=Perú: insurgentes se rinden|language=Spanish|trans-title=Peru: insurgents surrender|publisher=[[BBC News]]|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/latin_america/newsid_4144000/4144497.stm|access-date=16 May 2011}}</ref>

On 23 May, a mass killing of eighteen people occurred in [[San Miguel del Ene attack|San Miguel del Ene]], a rural area in the [[Vizcatán del Ene District]] of [[Satipo Province]].<ref>{{cite web|date=24 May 2021 |title=Jefe de Policía Nacional confirma muerte de 18 personas en el Vraem |website=andina.pe|language=es|url=https://andina.pe/agencia/noticia-jefe-policia-nacional-confirma-muerte-18-personas-el-vraem-846380.aspx |access-date=24 May 2021|url-status=live|archive-date=25 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525051943/https://andina.pe/agencia/noticia-jefe-policia-nacional-confirma-muerte-18-personas-el-vraem-846380.aspx}}</ref> Along with the corpses, some of which were burned, [[Pamphlet|leaflets]] signed by the [[Militarized Communist Party of Peru|MPCP]] were found, featuring the [[hammer and sickle]] and defining the attack as a [[social cleansing]] operation. The leaflets also called for a boycott of the 6 June elections and accused those who voted for [[Keiko Fujimori]] and her [[Popular Force]] party of [[treason]]. The military quickly accused Shining Path of the attack, although they were allegedly referring to the MCPC. However, no formal investigation had been performed before the links to Shining Path were claimed. [[OjoPúblico]] described the media release by the military as "an inaccurate reference to the Shining Path."

The attack and subsequent media coverage would provide increased support for Fujimori, whose rhetoric aligned Castillo with armed communists.<ref name="The Economist-2021">{{cite news|date=29 May 2021|title=Commies, crooks and bloodshed; Peru's election|pages=30|newspaper=[[The Economist]]}}</ref> The Fujimori campaign used the attack as a springboard for support, pointing to alleged ties between MOVADEF, a Shining Path political group, and Castillo, attempting to align him to the attack. Fujimori expressed condemnation against the attack during a press conference in [[Tarapoto]] as well as regret that "bloody acts" still happened in the country and her condolences to the relatives of the victims.<ref>{{cite web|date=24 May 2021|title=Keiko Fujimori sobre el atentado en el Vraem: 'Lamento profundamente que nuevamente actos sangrientos estén ocurriendo en nuestro país'|url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/keiko-fujimori-sobre-atentado-en-el-vraem-lamento-profundamente-que-nuevamente-actos-sangrientos-esten-ocurriendo-en-nuestro-pais-nndc-noticia/?outputType=amp|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525172613/https://elcomercio.pe/politica/keiko-fujimori-sobre-atentado-en-el-vraem-lamento-profundamente-que-nuevamente-actos-sangrientos-esten-ocurriendo-en-nuestro-pais-nndc-noticia/?outputType=amp|archive-date=25 May 2021|access-date=24 May 2021|website=El Comercio|language=es}}</ref> Pedro Castillo also condemned the killings during a rally in [[Huánuco]], expressing solidarity towards the relatives of the victims and also urging the National Police to investigate the attack to clarify the events.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Castillo|first=Sophia|date=24 May 2021|title=Pedro Castillo sobre ataque en el VRAEM: "Insto a la Policía a que haga investigaciones inmediatas"|url=https://rpp.pe/politica/elecciones/pedro-castillo-sobre-ataque-en-el-vraem-insto-a-la-policia-a-que-haga-investigaciones-inmediatas-noticia-1338535|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525195212/https://rpp.pe/politica/elecciones/pedro-castillo-sobre-ataque-en-el-vraem-insto-a-la-policia-a-que-haga-investigaciones-inmediatas-noticia-1338535|archive-date=25 May 2021|access-date=24 May 2021|website=RPP|language=es}}</ref> [[Vladimir Cerrón]], Secretary General of Free Peru, stated that "the right-wing needed [Shining] Path to win"; Cerrón deleted the tweet moments later while condemning any act of terrorism.<ref>{{cite web|date=24 May 2021|title=Vladimir Cerrón afirmó que "la derecha necesita de Sendero para ganar"|url=https://caretas.pe/politica/vladimir-cerron-afirmo-que-la-derecha-necesita-de-sendero-para-ganar/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524213913/https://caretas.pe/politica/vladimir-cerron-afirmo-que-la-derecha-necesita-de-sendero-para-ganar/|archive-date=24 May 2021|access-date=24 May 2021|website=Caretas|language=es}}</ref> Prime Minister [[Nuria Esparch]], who held the position of the [[Ministry of Defense (Peru)|Ministry of Defense]], condemned the attack and guaranteed that the electoral process would take place normally.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Chavez|first=Adriana|date=24 May 2021|title=Presidenta del Consejo de Ministros y Ministra de Defensa condenan atentado en el Vraem: "No quedará impune"|url=https://rpp.pe/peru/actualidad/pcm-y-ministra-de-defensa-condenan-atentado-en-el-vraem-no-quedara-impune-noticia-1338555|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525182751/https://rpp.pe/peru/actualidad/pcm-y-ministra-de-defensa-condenan-atentado-en-el-vraem-no-quedara-impune-noticia-1338555|archive-date=25 May 2021|access-date=24 May 2021|website=RPP|language=es}}</ref>

The election also saw the emergence of many [[Far-right politics|far-right]] candidates.{{sfn|Asensio|Camacho|González|Grompone|2021|pp=27–71}} Regarding the first round of presidential elections, Javier Puente, assistant professor of Latin American Studies at [[Smith College]] in the [[North American Congress on Latin America]] wrote: "With a baffling number of candidates – 18 in total – the 2021 presidential ballot included convicted felons, presumed money launderers, xenophobes, a fascist billionaire, an overrated and outdated economist, a retired mediocre footballer, a person accused of murdering a journalist, and other colorful figures. The vast majority of candidates represented the continuation of the neoliberal economic model that has been responsible for decades of meager financial performance and unequal growth."<ref name="Puente-2021">{{cite web|last=Puente|first=Javier|date=14 April 2021|title=Who is Peru's Frontrunner Pedro Castillo?|url=https://nacla.org/peru-elections-pedro-castillo|access-date=17 April 2021|website=[[North American Congress on Latin America]]|language=en|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417063919/https://nacla.org/peru-elections-pedro-castillo|url-status=live}}</ref> Puente stated that only three leftist candidates proposed alternatives to the neoliberal politicians (Veronika Mendoza, Marco Arana, and Pedro Castillo), describing Castillo as "far from being a 'comrade' who will champion leftist demands, Castillo is the new face of an anti-system impulse. ... Only in a neoliberal system that outcasts any form of market dissent as radical would a figure like Castillo acquire a role as a leftist."<ref name="Puente-2021"/>

The ''[[Americas Quarterly]]'' argues that such behavior resulted with less support for the leftist candidate Verónika Mendoza and promoted [[political polarization]] within Peru.<ref name="Deutsche Welle-2020" /> With the ongoing political crisis that saw in the span of two years the [[2019–2020 Peruvian constitutional crisis|dissolution of the Congress of Peru]] and the removal of three presidents ([[Pedro Pablo Kuczynski]], [[Martín Vizcarra]], and [[Manuel Merino]]), concerns were raised among analysts about the increased political polarization's relationship with Peru's democratic stability.<ref name="Andina" /> Lead researcher of pollster [[Institute of Peruvian Studies]], Patricia Zárate, stated: "I think the scenario that's coming is really frightening."<ref name="Andina" />

As the second round of elections approached, Fujimori's campaign used [[fearmongering]] tactics to gain support of the middle and upper classes in Lima, accusing Castillo of attempting to institute communism in Peru and to follow the path of Hugo Chávez and Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela.{{sfn|Asensio|Camacho|González|Grompone|2021|pp=27–71}} Some scholars have recognized the similarities of Fujimori and Castillo; both are [[cultural conservatives]] opposing [[same-sex marriage]] and abortion, as campaigning for the second round of elections began.<ref name="Public Radio International">{{cite web|title=Peru polarized by two social conservatives in presidential runoff|url=https://www.pri.org/stories/2021-04-16/peru-polarized-two-social-conservatives-presidential-runoff|access-date=21 April 2021|website=[[Public Radio International]]|language=en|archive-date=20 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420184903/https://www.pri.org/stories/2021-04-16/peru-polarized-two-social-conservatives-presidential-runoff|url-status=live}}</ref> Olga González, associate dean of the Kofi Annan Institute for Global Citizenship at [[Macalester College]], stated that the situation is more complex than "binaries" between social classes, although she acknowledged that such dichotomies "speak to how polarized the country is."<ref name="Public Radio International" />

In the second round of elections, Peru's major media networks were accused of aligning with Fujimori to discredit Castillo. Some news media allegedly disseminated [[fake news]] against Castillo.<ref name="RPP-2019" /><ref name="The Guardian-2021">{{cite web|date=20 June 2021|title=Peru: Fujimori cries electoral fraud – and unleashes torrent of racism|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/20/peru-elite-election-pedro-castillo-keiko-fujimori|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622045604/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/20/peru-elite-election-pedro-castillo-keiko-fujimori|archive-date=22 June 2021|access-date=22 June 2021|website=[[The Guardian]]|language=en}}</ref> ''[[Le Monde diplomatique]]'' wrote, "The privately owned media torpedoed Castillo incessantly with fake news, and not without rattling the Shining Path [[Straw man|scarecrow]]".  International media also stated that Peruvian news organizations polished Fujimori's image and praised her, as well as assisting her media campaign tactic which included attacks accusing Castillo of being linked to armed [[communist]] groups.<ref name="The Economist-2021" /> ''The Guardian'' described accusations linking Castillo to Shining Path as "incorrect", while the [[Associated Press]] said that allegations by Peruvian media of links to Shining Path were "unsupported."<ref>{{cite web|date=5 May 2021|title=Son of the soil Pedro Castillo promises a presidency for Peru|url=http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/may/05/pedro-castillo-peru-presidential-candidate|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507013457/https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/may/05/pedro-castillo-peru-presidential-candidate|archive-date=7 May 2021|access-date=7 May 2021|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Students' struggles pushed Peru teacher to run for president|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/students-struggles-pushed-peru-teacher-run-president-77149262|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419072437/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/students-struggles-pushed-peru-teacher-run-president-77149262|archive-date=19 April 2021|access-date=7 May 2021|website=ABC News}}</ref>

With the support of [[Mario Vargas Llosa]] and his son [[Álvaro Vargas Llosa]]'s neoliberal Fundación International para la Libertad (FIL), Fujimori attempted to reshape her image as being more democratic.{{sfn|Asensio|Camacho|González|Grompone|2021|pp=13–24}} Vargas Llosa ran and lost against Alberto Fujimori in Peru's [[1990 Peruvian general election|1990 elections]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=18 April 2021|title=Keiko Fujimori would be 'lesser of two evils' as Peru president, says Nobel prize author|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/18/keiko-fujimori-would-be-lesser-of-two-evils-as-peru-president-says-nobel-prize-author-mario-vargas-llosa|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421091907/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/18/keiko-fujimori-would-be-lesser-of-two-evils-as-peru-president-says-nobel-prize-author-mario-vargas-llosa|archive-date=21 April 2021|access-date=21 April 2021|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref> and had previously criticized Fujimori, making statements such as "the worst option is that of Keiko Fujimori because it means the legitimation of one of the worst dictatorships that Peru has had in its history"<ref>{{Cite web|last=Escalante|first=Claudia|date=22 May 2011|title=Mario Vargas Llosa: La peor opción es la de Keiko Fujimori|url=https://rpp.pe/politica/actualidad/mario-vargas-llosa-la-peor-opcion-es-la-de-keiko-fujimori-noticia-367976|access-date=21 April 2021|website=RPP|language=es|archive-date=21 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421042358/https://rpp.pe/politica/actualidad/mario-vargas-llosa-la-peor-opcion-es-la-de-keiko-fujimori-noticia-367976|url-status=live}}</ref> and that "Keiko is the daughter of a murderer and a thief who is imprisoned, tried by civil courts with international observers, sentenced to 25 years in prison for murder and theft. I do not want her to win the elections."<ref>{{Cite web|date=24 September 2014|title=Vargas Llosa sobre Keiko: 'No quiero que sea presidenta la hija de un asesino' |url=https://peru21.pe/politica/vargas-llosa-keiko-quiero-sea-presidenta-hija-asesino-187128-noticia/|access-date=21 April 2021|website=Peru21|language=es|archive-date=19 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419145256/https://peru21.pe/politica/vargas-llosa-keiko-quiero-sea-presidenta-hija-asesino-187128-noticia/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Asensio|Camacho|González|Grompone|2021|pp=13–24}}

[[File:Marcha No a Keiko 22 de mayo 2021 9.jpg|thumb|300px|An [[Anti-Fujimorism|anti-fujimorist]] manifestation in Lima on 22 May following [[Keiko Fujimori]]'s attempt to obstruct the election]]
After Castillo took the lead during the ballot-counting process, Fujimori promoted unproven claims of electoral fraud.{{sfn|Asensio|Camacho|González|Grompone|2021|p=91}}<ref name="Collyns-2021">{{cite web|last1=Collyns|first1=Dan|date=8 June 2021|title=Peru elections: Fujimori's fraud claims criticised as rival's narrow lead widens|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/08/keiko-fujimori-claims-irregularities-peru-presidential-election-pedro-castillo|access-date=8 June 2021|website=The Guardian|archive-date=8 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608042309/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/08/keiko-fujimori-claims-irregularities-peru-presidential-election-pedro-castillo|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Swissinfo-2021"/><ref name="France 24-2021">{{cite web|date=8 June 2021|title=Keiko Fujimori alleges fraud in tight Peru election|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210608-keiko-fujimori-alleges-fraud-in-tight-peru-election|access-date=8 June 2021|publisher=France 24|archive-date=8 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608042756/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210608-keiko-fujimori-alleges-fraud-in-tight-peru-election|url-status=live}}</ref> In a media event following election day, Fujimori alleged that a "series of irregularities" had occurred, presenting photographs and videos in an attempt to support her allegations, while also accusing Free Peru of attempting to "distort and delay" the election process.<ref name="Collyns-2021"/><ref name="France 24-2021"/> Fujimori argued that it consisted in the challenge of polling stations where Fujimori would register a greater number of votes than his opponent, previous training talks by Free Peru in which they ask their representatives to arrive early at the polling stations to ensure control of the polling stations where titular members did not attend and irregularities in the vote count.<ref>{{cite web|date=8 June 2021|title=Keiko Fujimori denuncia "fraude sistemático" en comicios|url=https://www.dw.com/es/keiko-fujimori-denuncia-fraude-sistem%C3%A1tico-en-comicios/a-57809388|url-status=live|access-date=15 June 2021|website=[[Deutsche Welle]]|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608033104/https://www.dw.com/es/keiko-fujimori-denuncia-fraude-sistem%C3%A1tico-en-comicios/a-57809388 |archive-date=8 June 2021}}</ref> To support the complaints, Keiko's running mate, [[Luis Galarreta]], assured that Free Peru did a "high number of challenges" to electoral acts in which Keiko was favoured so they could not be counted to the final estimate until they were evaluated first by the National Jury of Elections.<ref>{{cite web|date=7 June 2021|title=Luis Galarreta: En el 80% de las actas impugnadas tenemos una ventaja|url=https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/luis-galarreta-en-el-80-de-las-actas-impugnadas-tenemos-una-ventaja-nndc-noticia/|url-status=live|access-date=15 June 2021|website=Gestión|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608045217/https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/luis-galarreta-en-el-80-de-las-actas-impugnadas-tenemos-una-ventaja-nndc-noticia/ |archive-date=8 June 2021}}</ref> According to the complaint, over 1 300 voting acts were challenged by Free Peru;<ref name="Swissinfo-2021">{{cite web|date=8 June 2021|title=Claves del supuesto "fraude sistemático" denunciado por Keiko Fujimori|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/per%C3%BA-elecciones_claves-del-supuesto--fraude-sistem%C3%A1tico--denunciado-por-keiko-fujimori/46688860|access-date=24 June 2021|website=Swissinfo|language=es}}</ref> however, the first claims were rebutted by national electoral entities.<ref>{{cite web|date=8 June 2021|title=Claves del supuesto 'fraude sistemático' denunciado por Keiko Fujimori|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/per%C3%BA-elecciones_claves-del-supuesto--fraude-sistem%C3%A1tico--denunciado-por-keiko-fujimori/46688860|url-status=live|access-date=20 July 2021|website=Swissinfo|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609191657/https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/per%C3%BA-elecciones_claves-del-supuesto--fraude-sistem%C3%A1tico--denunciado-por-keiko-fujimori/46688860 |archive-date=9 June 2021}}</ref> After the resolution of the challenged votes and the acts observed by the Special Electoral Juries, the National Office of Electoral Processes published the total results on 15 June, in which Pedro Castillo surpassed Keiko Fujimori in number of votes.<ref>{{cite web|date=23 June 2021|title=Resultados ONPE 100% actas contabilizadas: Pedro Castillo 50.125% y Keiko Fujimori 49.875%|url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/elecciones/resultados-onpe-100-elecciones-2021-pedro-castillo-50125-y-keiko-fujimori-49875-de-actas-contabilizadas-cifras-oficiales-de-segunda-vuelta-de-elecciones-generales-peru-2021-conteo-de-votos-peru-libre-fuerza-popular-oficina-nacional-de-procesos-electorales-jne-nuevo-presidente-resultados-oficiales-onpe-noticia/|url-status=live|access-date=24 June 2021|website=[[El Comercio (Peru)|El Comercio]]|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621184039/https://elcomercio.pe/politica/elecciones/resultados-onpe-100-elecciones-2021-pedro-castillo-50125-y-keiko-fujimori-49875-de-actas-contabilizadas-cifras-oficiales-de-segunda-vuelta-de-elecciones-generales-peru-2021-conteo-de-votos-peru-libre-fuerza-popular-oficina-nacional-de-procesos-electorales-jne-nuevo-presidente-resultados-oficiales-onpe-noticia/ |archive-date=21 June 2021}}</ref>

According to ''The Guardian'', various international observers countered Fujimori's claims, stating that the election process was conducted in accordance with international standards.<ref name="Collyns-2021" /> Observers from the Inter-American Union of Electoral Organizations, the [[Organization of American States]], and the [[Progressive International]] denied any instances of widespread fraud and praised the accuracy of the elections.<ref>{{Cite web|date=8 June 2021|title="We must defend popular sovereignty in Peru"|url=https://progressive.international/wire/2021-06-08-we-must-defend-popular-sovereignty-in-peru/en|access-date=10 June 2021|website=Progressive International|language=en|archive-date=10 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610015722/https://progressive.international/wire/2021-06-08-we-must-defend-popular-sovereignty-in-peru/en/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=9 June 2021|title=Perú: Castillo se proclama vencedor sin los resultados definitivos del conteo oficial|url=https://www.france24.com/es/am%C3%A9rica-latina/20210609-peru-castillo-declara-ganador-sin-resultados-oficiales|access-date=10 June 2021|publisher=France 24|archive-date=10 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610015717/https://www.france24.com/es/am%C3%A9rica-latina/20210609-peru-castillo-declara-ganador-sin-resultados-oficiales|url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Guardian'' also reported that analysts and political observers criticized Fujimori's remarks, noting that it made her appear desperate after losing her third presidential run in a ten-year period.<ref name="Collyns-2021"/> Fernando Tuesta, political scientist from the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, stated: "It's extremely regrettable that when the result is not favourable, that the candidate talks about fraud. It's terrible, ... They have been talking about fraud because they don't want to respect the result."<ref name="Collyns-2021"/> On 9 June, Fujimori sought to have around 200,000 votes annulled and for 300,000 votes to be reviewed.<ref>{{cite web|date=10 June 2021|title=Fujimori seeks ballots annulled as leftist Castillo leads in Peru's presidential vote|url=https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20210610-fujimori-seeks-ballots-annulled-as-leftist-castillo-leads-in-peru-election|access-date=10 June 2021|publisher=France 24|archive-date=10 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610043438/https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20210610-fujimori-seeks-ballots-annulled-as-leftist-castillo-leads-in-peru-election|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following reports of Castillo's apparent victory, Fujimori and her supporters made unsubstantiated claims of [[electoral fraud]], leading [[obstructionist]] efforts to overturn the election with support of wealthy citizens of Lima.{{sfn|Asensio|Camacho|González|Grompone|2021|pp=69-71}}<ref name="Swissinfo-2021"/><ref name="The Guardian-2021"/><ref name="Collyns-2021"/><ref name="The Washington Post">{{cite news|title=With election fraud claims, Peru's Keiko Fujimori takes a page from the Trump playbook. She's not alone.|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/06/16/trump-playbook-peru-democracy/|access-date=22 June 2021|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=21 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621072244/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/06/16/trump-playbook-peru-democracy/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Applebaum-2021">{{cite news|last=Applebaum|first=Anne|date=17 June 2021|title=Democracy Is Surprisingly Easy to Undermine|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/06/trump-fraud-stop-steal-copycats/619226/|access-date=22 June 2021|work=The Atlantic|archive-date=20 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620121009/https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/06/trump-fraud-stop-steal-copycats/619226/|url-status=live}}</ref> The economic and political elites refused to recognize Castillo's ascent to the presidency,{{sfn|Asensio|Camacho|González|Grompone|2021|pp=27–71}} with those among the more affluent, including former military officers and wealthy families, demanded new elections, promoted calls for a [[military coup]], and utilized [[classist]] or [[racist]] rhetoric to support their allegations of fraud.<ref name="Swissinfo-2021"/> According to analysts, Peru was more susceptible to unrest as a result of Fujimori's narrative since democratic institutions are weaker in the nation.<ref name="Swissinfo-2021"/> Minor clashes occurred in Lima between Fujimori supporters from the capital city and Castillo supporters from other regions, with [[rondas campesinas]] equipped with sticks and machetes arriving in the [[Historic Centre of Lima]] to defend Castillo's election and dissuade Fujimori protesters.{{sfn|Asensio|Camacho|González|Grompone|2021|pp=69-71}} Fujimori's response to Castillo's victory was also to portray her movement as defending democracy and assumed a nationalist image, adopting the [[Peru national football team]] uniform and colors during rallies.{{sfn|Asensio|Camacho|González|Grompone|2021|pp=13–24}} This intensified political polarization between urban and rural Peruvians, portraying rich, white individuals as democratic while identifying indigenous poor individuals as communists.{{sfn|Asensio|Camacho|González|Grompone|2021|pp=13–24}}

[[File:MapaElectoralPeru2021Regiones.png|thumb|Results of the first round of the election]]
After exit polls gave the victory to Keiko Fujimori over Pedro Castillo, supporters of Free Peru mobilized to the offices of the ONPE to protest against a possible fraud against their candidate,<ref>{{cite web|last=Acosta|first=Sebastián|date=2021-06-06|title=Segunda vuelta {{!}} Decenas de manifestantes protestan cerca a sede de la ONPE tras resultados a boca de urna|url=https://rpp.pe/politica/elecciones/segunda-vuelta-decenas-de-manifestantes-protestan-cerca-a-sede-de-la-onpe-por-resultados-a-boca-de-urna-noticia-1340837|access-date=2021-07-10|website=RPP|language=es}}</ref> bringing banners saying "no to the fraud."<ref>{{cite web|date=2021-06-07|title=Elecciones 2021: simpatizantes de Perú Libre realizan plantón frente a la ONPE |url=https://gestion.pe/peru/elecciones-2021-simpatizantes-de-peru-libre-realizan-planton-frente-a-la-onpe-nndc-noticia/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-10|website=Gestión|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607201744/https://gestion.pe/peru/elecciones-2021-simpatizantes-de-peru-libre-realizan-planton-frente-a-la-onpe-nndc-noticia/ |archive-date=7 June 2021}}</ref> From [[Tacabamba District|Tacabamba]], [[Cajamarca]],<ref>{{cite web|date=2021-06-07|title=Simpatizantes de Perú Libre gritan "¡no al fraude!" y Pedro Castillo pide salir en paz a las calles|url=https://www.expreso.com.pe/elecciones-2021/simpatizantes-de-peru-libre-gritan-no-al-fraude-y-pedro-castillo-pide-salir-en-paz-a-las-calles/|access-date=2021-07-10|website=Diario Expreso}}</ref> Castillo called upon his followers and supporters on Twitter to "defend the votes" and go to the streets to "defend democracy."<ref>{{cite web|date=2021-06-07|title=Elecciones 2021: Pedro Castillo pide a personeros "estar atentos a defender cada voto"|url=https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/elecciones-2021-pedro-castillo-pide-a-personeros-estar-atentos-a-defender-cada-voto-keiko-fujimori-segunda-vuelta-nndc-noticia/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-10|website=Gestión|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607011811/https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/elecciones-2021-pedro-castillo-pide-a-personeros-estar-atentos-a-defender-cada-voto-keiko-fujimori-segunda-vuelta-nndc-noticia/ |archive-date=7 June 2021}}</ref> Protests against Fujimori and an alleged fraud took place in cities such as [[Juliaca]], [[Puno]], and [[Ilave]].<ref>{{cite web|date=2021-06-06|title=Partidarios de Perú Libre de Juliaca, Puno e Ilave protestan por supuesto fraude electoral|url=https://larepublica.pe/sociedad/2021/06/06/partidarios-de-peru-libre-de-juliaca-puno-e-ilave-protestan-por-supuesto-fraude-electoral-lrsd/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-10|website=[[La República (Peru)|La República]]|language=es-PE|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607044421/https://larepublica.pe/sociedad/2021/06/06/partidarios-de-peru-libre-de-juliaca-puno-e-ilave-protestan-por-supuesto-fraude-electoral-lrsd/ |archive-date=7 June 2021}}</ref>

After the publication of the quick count and the first official results, protests by supporters of both Free Peru and Popular Force took place.<ref>{{cite web|date=2021-06-08|title=Simpatizantes de Castillo y Fujimori protestan en exteriores de la ONPE|url=https://larepublica.pe/elecciones/2021/06/08/elecciones-2021-simpatizantes-de-castillo-y-fujimori-protestan-en-exteriores-de-la-onpe-pltc/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-06-24|website=[[La República (Peru)|La República]]|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609022313/https://larepublica.pe/elecciones/2021/06/08/elecciones-2021-simpatizantes-de-castillo-y-fujimori-protestan-en-exteriores-de-la-onpe-pltc/ |archive-date=9 June 2021}}</ref> Amid the fraud accusations and the final vote count, there were nearly daily protests and marches, mostly in the capital [[Lima]].<ref>{{cite web|date=2021-06-24|title=Peru political fog thickens as election count official quits|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/peru-political-fog-thickens-as-election-count-official-quits/46734070|url-status=live|access-date=2021-06-24|website=Swissinfo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624220559/https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/peru-political-fog-thickens-as-election-count-official-quits/46734070 |archive-date=24 June 2021}}</ref> Besides Fujimori supporters, groups opposed to Castillo, mobilized by the fear of communism or aversion to the left wing, mobilized asking for the annulment of the elections.<ref name="El Espectador-2021">{{cite web|date=2021-06-19|title=El Perú que las elecciones nos dejó ver|url=https://www.elespectador.com/mundo/america/el-peru-que-las-elecciones-nos-dejo-ver/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-06-24|website=El Espectador|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620043417/https://www.elespectador.com/mundo/america/el-peru-que-las-elecciones-nos-dejo-ver/ |archive-date=20 June 2021}}</ref> Among the opposition groups there were anti-communists, far-right followers, and neo-Nazi groups, including ''Acción Legionaria'' (Legionary Action).<ref name="El Espectador-2021" /> During a mobilization in the San Martín Square in Lima, [[Ronda Campesina|''rondas campesinas'']] supportive of Castillo carried [[machete]]s with them.<ref>{{cite web|date=2021-06-18|title=Ronderos en Lima: uso de machetes en movilización genera polémica|url=https://caretas.pe/nacional/ronderos-en-lima-uso-de-machetes-en-movilizacion-genera-polemica/|access-date=2021-06-24|website=caretas.pe|language=es|archive-date=3 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703054122/https://caretas.pe/nacional/ronderos-en-lima-uso-de-machetes-en-movilizacion-genera-polemica/|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 14 July, several pro-Fujimori protesters gathered at the Government Palace demanding an audit of the election. Protesters clashed with the [[National Police of Peru]], and [[Ministry of Health (Peru)|Health Minister]] [[Óscar Ugarte]] and [[Ministry of Housing, Construction and Sanitation (Peru)|Housing Minister]] Solangel Fernández were attacked during the protests.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fuerza Popular: Simpatizantes fujimoristas se enfrentaron a la Policía para llegar a Palacio de Gobierno|date=14 July 2021|url=https://rpp.pe/lima/actualidad/fuerza-popular-simpatizantes-fujimoristas-se-enfrentaron-a-la-policia-para-llegar-a-palacio-de-gobierno-noticia-1347486|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715033223/https://rpp.pe/lima/actualidad/fuerza-popular-simpatizantes-fujimoristas-se-enfrentaron-a-la-policia-para-llegar-a-palacio-de-gobierno-noticia-1347486|archive-date=15 July 2021|access-date=15 July 2021}}</ref><ref name="elmundo.es">{{Cite web|title=Seguidores de Keiko Fujimori marchan a Palacio y atacan el coche de dos ministros con ellos dentro|date=15 July 2021|url=https://www.elmundo.es/internacional/2021/07/15/60efa2aefdddffd0aa8b45db.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715032346/https://www.elmundo.es/internacional/2021/07/15/60efa2aefdddffd0aa8b45db.html|archive-date=15 July 2021|access-date=15 July 2021}}</ref> On 15 July, Sagasti reaffirmed that there was no evidence of voter fraud.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Peru's President: 2021 elections were clean, there was no fraud|date=15 July 2021 |url=https://andina.pe/Ingles/noticia-perus-president-2021-elections-were-clean-there-was-no-fraud-853417.aspx|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715223426/https://andina.pe/Ingles/noticia-perus-president-2021-elections-were-clean-there-was-no-fraud-853417.aspx|archive-date=15 July 2021|access-date=15 July 2021}}</ref>

Senior fellow of the [[Washington Office on Latin America]] Jo Marie Burt described the overturn attempts as "a slow-motion conspiracy to prevent Castillo from becoming president", with ''[[The Guardian]]'' reporting that if Castillo was prevented from becoming president by 28 July 2021, a new election would be initiated.<ref name="RPP-2019" /> Fujimori's statements about possibly overturning the election, along with her use of [[fake news]] and legal challenges, were also described as being inspired by the [[attempts to overturn the 2020 U.S. presidential election]] by former U.S. president [[Donald Trump]].{{sfn|Asensio|Camacho|González|Grompone|2021|p=91}}<ref name="Swissinfo-2021" /><ref name="The Guardian-2021" /><ref name="The Washington Post" /><ref name="Applebaum-2021" /> According to [[Cornell University]] professor of Latin American politics Kenneth Roberts, "[w]hen the credibility is called into question the way it has been by Trump and the Republicans in the U.S., it creates a bad example that other leaders and countries can follow, providing a template to change results they don't like."<ref name="The Washington Post" />{{sfn|Asensio|Camacho|González|Grompone|2021|pp=13–24}}

To avoid the questions of election legitimacy, election authorities in Peru approved the use of [[election monitoring]].<ref name="Ojo Público-2021">{{cite web|date=4 June 2021|title=¿Cuántos observadores internacionales vigilarán la segunda vuelta electoral?|url=https://ojo-publico.com/2779/cuantos-observadores-internacionales-vigilaran-las-elecciones|access-date=8 June 2021|website=[[Ojo Público]]|language=es|archive-date=8 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608161217/https://ojo-publico.com/2779/cuantos-observadores-internacionales-vigilaran-las-elecciones|url-status=live}}</ref> In total, one hundred and fifty observers (ninety-nine in Peru and fifty-one abroad) were approved to observe elections throughout Peru.<ref name="Ojo Público-2021"/> The origin of the observers were from twenty-two different countries, with thirty-five observers from the [[Organization of American States]], while others were from Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Spain, Switzerland, the United States, and Uruguay.<ref name="Ojo Público-2021"/> Observer approval required providing election authorities observation plans; these plans included protocols to inform authorities of crimes, violations of electoral law or any complaints they collected.<ref name="Ojo Público-2021"/> Observers were then responsible with providing an official, final report to authorities.<ref name="Ojo Público-2021"/> According to [[OjoPúblico]], "the observers carry out the review of the activities of election day, ranging from the installation of the voting tables, the conditioning of the secret chambers, the conformity of the ballots, the minutes, the amphorae and any other electoral material, to the counting, the counting of the vote and the transfer of the electoral records at the end of the day."<ref name="Ojo Público-2021"/>

On 10 June, the Peruvian Prosecution asked for the detention of Keiko on charges of violating the conditional liberty that she was granted during the open criminal process against her.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Fowks|first=Jacqueline|date=2021-06-10|title=La Fiscalía de Perú pide prisión para Keiko Fujimori por el 'caso Odebrecht' en plena pugna por las presidenciales|url=https://elpais.com/internacional/2021-06-10/la-fiscalia-peruana-pide-prision-para-keiko-fujimori-por-el-caso-odebrecht.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-20|website=[[El País]]|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610183845/https://elpais.com/internacional/2021-06-10/la-fiscalia-peruana-pide-prision-para-keiko-fujimori-por-el-caso-odebrecht.html |archive-date=10 June 2021}}</ref> On 17 June, Fujimori repeated claims of voter fraud.<ref>{{cite web|date=17 June 2021|title=Presidential hopeful Fujimori repeats Peru vote fraud claims|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210617-presidential-hopeful-fujimori-repeats-peru-vote-fraud-claims|access-date=28 June 2021|website=France 24|language=en|archive-date=30 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630044721/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210617-presidential-hopeful-fujimori-repeats-peru-vote-fraud-claims|url-status=live}}</ref> On 28 June, Fujimori traveled to the [[Government Palace (Peru)|Government Palace]] and personally delivered demands to President [[Francisco Sagasti]] to initiate an audit of the results by international entities.<ref name="Reuters-2020" /> On 30 June, several members of the [[Popular Force]] party traveled to the [[Pan American Union Building|OAS Building]] in [[Washington, D.C.]], to publicize the voter fraud claims, with sociologist Francesca Emanuele condemning them as "coup plotters" during a press conference.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wapa.pe/mujer/2021/06/30/sociologa-iquena-francesca-emanuele-encara-delegacion-fujimorista-en-oea-son-golpistas-actualidad-video-8514|title=Socióloga iqueña encara a delegación fujimorista en la OEA: 'Son golpistas'|website=Wapa|date=30 June 2021|access-date=8 July 2021|archive-date=20 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720133144/https://wapa.pe/mujer/2021/06/30/sociologa-iquena-francesca-emanuele-encara-delegacion-fujimorista-en-oea-son-golpistas-actualidad-video-8514|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Encaran a fujimoristas que viajaron a Washington: 'Ustedes son vistos como golpistas'|url=https://elpopular.pe/actualidad/2021/06/30/encaran-fujimoristas-conferencia-prensa-washington-ustedes-son-vistos-como-golpistas-video-71552|access-date=8 July 2021|website=El Popular|language=es|date=30 June 2021|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709183638/https://elpopular.pe/actualidad/2021/06/30/encaran-fujimoristas-conferencia-prensa-washington-ustedes-son-vistos-como-golpistas-video-71552|url-status=live}}</ref> On 2 July, Sagasti rejected a request to audit the second round of the election, and Fujimori accused Sagasti of abdicating his "great responsibility to ensure fair elections."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://canaln.pe/actualidad/keiko-fujimori-sagasti-abdico-su-gran-responsabilidad-garantizar-elecciones-limpias-n436764|title=Keiko Fujimori: 'Sagasti abdicó de su gran responsabilidad de garantizar elecciones limpias'|agency=Canal N|language=es|date=2 July 2021|access-date=4 July 2021|archive-date=3 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703184818/https://canaln.pe/actualidad/keiko-fujimori-sagasti-abdico-su-gran-responsabilidad-garantizar-elecciones-limpias-n436764|url-status=live}}</ref> On 19 July, Fujimori admitted her defeat but reaffirmed that "votes were stolen" from her.<ref name="U.S. News & World Report">{{cite web |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2021-07-19/perus-fujimori-admits-defeat-in-presidential-election-lashes-out-at-socialist-rival |title=Peru Socialist Castillo Confirmed President After Lengthy Battle Over Results |work=U.S. News & World Report |agency=Reuters |date=19 July 2021 |access-date=2 January 2022 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720004537/https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2021-07-19/perus-fujimori-admits-defeat-in-presidential-election-lashes-out-at-socialist-rival |archive-date=20 July 2021}}</ref>
[[File:La resistencia - Fuerza Popular.jpg|thumb|left|Clashes between members of [[Free Peru]] and [[La Resistencia Dios, Patria y Familia]] during the electoral crisis]]
On 18 June, former Supreme Court President Javier Villa Stein filed a complaint for protection by describing the ballot vote as "questioned", arguing an alleged "electoral process flawed by various acts that undermine the popular will" and asking the judiciary branch to "declare the election void."<ref>{{cite web|date=18 June 2021|title=Presentan recurso al PJ para declarar nula elección de segunda vuelta|url=https://larepublica.pe/elecciones/2021/06/18/elecciones-2021-presentan-recurso-al-poder-judicial-para-declarar-nula-eleccion-de-segunda-vuelta-pltc/|url-status=live|access-date=24 June 2021|website=[[La República (Peru)|La República]]|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619031349/https://larepublica.pe/elecciones/2021/06/18/elecciones-2021-presentan-recurso-al-poder-judicial-para-declarar-nula-eleccion-de-segunda-vuelta-pltc/ |archive-date=19 June 2021}}</ref> Lawyer Renán Galindo Peralta requested that it be rejected outright considering it inadmissible because it did not fall under the Organic Law of Elections and because the judicial branch lacked the powers to annul elections.<ref>{{cite web|date=21 June 2021|title=Piden rechazar demanda de Javier Villa Stein para anular la segunda vuelta|url=https://larepublica.pe/elecciones/2021/06/21/elecciones-2021-piden-rechazar-demanda-de-javier-villa-stein-para-anular-la-segunda-vuelta-pltc/?ref=lre|url-status=live|access-date=24 June 2021|website=[[La República (Peru)|La República]]|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624231127/https://larepublica.pe/elecciones/2021/06/21/elecciones-2021-piden-rechazar-demanda-de-javier-villa-stein-para-anular-la-segunda-vuelta-pltc/?ref=lre |archive-date=24 June 2021}}</ref>

On 23 June, Luis Arce, a judge on the [[National Jury of Elections]] (JNE), resigned and alleged bias on the jury which had rejected ten Fujimori requests to annul Castillo votes. On its Twitter account, JNE rejected Arce's allegation of bias as "offensive", and said its judges were not allowed to resign in the middle of reviews of cases, so he would be suspended instead, and a provisional replacement found "to avoid delaying our work." Castillo's Free Peru party said the resignation was aimed at "preventing the proclamation of Pedro Castillo, thereby ignoring the popular vote, breaking democracy and installing a coup d'état with silk gloves." In the wake of Arce's resignation, a lawyer representing Fujimori said that the government should consider asking the [[Organization of American States]] (OAS) to audit the electoral process, as was done during the [[2019 Bolivian political crisis]]. The OAS stated that its mission to the country had not found any issues in the conduct of the election.<ref>{{cite news|date=25 June 2021|title=Peru political fog thickens as election count official quits|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/peru-political-fog-thickens-election-count-official-quits-2021-06-24/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625150622/https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/peru-political-fog-thickens-election-count-official-quits-2021-06-24/|archive-date=25 June 2021|access-date=26 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=24 June 2021|title=Misión de observación de la OEA considera que el JNE ha actuado 'apegado a la normativa vigente'|url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/elecciones/mision-de-observacion-de-la-oea-considera-que-el-jne-ha-actuado-apegado-a-la-normativa-vigente-elecciones-generales-del-peru-2021-nndc-noticia/?ref=ecr|access-date=24 June 2021|website=El Comercio|language=es}}</ref> Former candidate [[George Forsyth (footballer)|George Forsyth]] attributed it as part of the preparation of a "coup d'etat" and that Arce himself was "attacking democracy."<ref>{{cite web|date=24 June 2021|title=George Forsyth cuestiona declinación de Luis Arce a participar en el Pleno del JNE|url=https://peru21.pe/politica/george-forsyth-cuestiona-declinacion-de-luis-arce-a-participar-en-el-pleno-del-jne-nndc-noticia/|url-status=live|access-date=24 June 2021|website=Peru21|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624184350/https://peru21.pe/politica/george-forsyth-cuestiona-declinacion-de-luis-arce-a-participar-en-el-pleno-del-jne-nndc-noticia/ |archive-date=24 June 2021}}</ref>

On 25 June, former 2001 and 2016 presidential candidate [[Fernando Olivera (politician)|Fernando Olivera]] revealed audio tapes, alleging that [[Vladimiro Montesinos]], who was the right-hand man to former President [[Alberto Fujimori]] currently serving a prison sentence for crimes committed during the Fujimori period, was behind the attempts for Keiko Fujimori to be declared as the winner of the second round against Castillo, including through the payment of bribes to electoral officials and influencing the [[National Jury of Elections]]. The [[National Penitentiary Institute (Peru)|National Penitentiary Institute]] and [[Peruvian Navy]] announced an investigation, confirming that Montesinos made two phone calls from Callao Naval Base where he is jailed, on 10 and 23 June to unauthorised persons coordinating the effort to overturn the election.<ref name="gestion.pe">{{cite web|date=25 June 2021|title=Marina e INPE investigan llamadas de Montesinos desde Base Naval|url=https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/vladimiro-montesinos-marina-de-guerra-e-inpe-investigan-llamadas-telefonicas-desde-base-naval-jurado-nacional-de-elecciones-fernando-olivera-jne-nndc-noticia/|access-date=26 June 2021|website=Gestión|language=es|archive-date=25 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625225040/https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/vladimiro-montesinos-marina-de-guerra-e-inpe-investigan-llamadas-telefonicas-desde-base-naval-jurado-nacional-de-elecciones-fernando-olivera-jne-nndc-noticia/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Further reports showed that Montesinos allegedly was able to make seventeen phone calls from a [[landline]] phone to retired military officer Pedro Rejas, reportedly suggesting to Rejas that bribes needed to be paid and that Fujimori's husband, an American, go to the United States embassy in Lima to present "documentation of the fraud" to the Office of Regional Affairs and [[Central Intelligence Agency]].<ref name="RPP-2019" /><ref name="IDL Reporteros-2021">{{cite web|date=1 July 2021|title=Operaciones 'irregulares' del 'Doc' desde la Base Naval|url=https://www.idl-reporteros.pe/operaciones-irregulares-del-doc-desde-la-base-naval/|access-date=2 July 2021|website=IDL Reporteros|language=es|archive-date=2 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702030549/https://www.idl-reporteros.pe/operaciones-irregulares-del-doc-desde-la-base-naval/|url-status=live}}</ref> According to [[IDL-Reporteros]], Montesinos suggests that the documentation would reach President [[Joe Biden]] and that his administration would condemn the election as interference from Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, subsequently giving Fujimori's claims of fraud more weight.<ref name="IDL Reporteros-2021"/> Rumors also spread of a possible [[coup d'état]] against Castillo, if he were declared the official winner of the presidential election.<ref name="The Guardian-2021"/> A letter signed by almost one-hundred retired officers, including [[Francisco Morales Bermúdez]], of the Peruvian armed forces was written calling on current military leaders in Peru to refuse recognizing the election of Castillo into the presidency.<ref name="The Guardian-2021"/> President Sagasti condemned the letter, stating: "They want to incite top commanders of the Army, Navy, and Air force to break the rule of law."<ref name="The Guardian-2021"/>

On 14 July, several pro-Fujimori protesters gathered at the Government Palace demanding an audit of the election. Protesters, many of which were members of the [[Neo-fascism|neofascist]] [[La Resistencia Dios, Patria y Familia]], clashed with the [[National Police of Peru]], and [[Ministry of Health (Peru)|Health Minister]] [[Óscar Ugarte]] and [[Ministry of Housing, Construction and Sanitation (Peru)|Housing Minister]] Solangel Fernández were attacked during the protests.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fuerza Popular: Simpatizantes fujimoristas se enfrentaron a la Policía para llegar a Palacio de Gobierno|date=14 July 2021|url=https://rpp.pe/lima/actualidad/fuerza-popular-simpatizantes-fujimoristas-se-enfrentaron-a-la-policia-para-llegar-a-palacio-de-gobierno-noticia-1347486|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715033223/https://rpp.pe/lima/actualidad/fuerza-popular-simpatizantes-fujimoristas-se-enfrentaron-a-la-policia-para-llegar-a-palacio-de-gobierno-noticia-1347486|archive-date=15 July 2021|access-date=15 July 2021}}</ref><ref name="elmundo.es"/> On 15 July, Sagasti reaffirmed that there was no evidence of voter fraud.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Peru's President: 2021 elections were clean, there was no fraud|date=15 July 2021 |url=https://andina.pe/Ingles/noticia-perus-president-2021-elections-were-clean-there-was-no-fraud-853417.aspx|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715223426/https://andina.pe/Ingles/noticia-perus-president-2021-elections-were-clean-there-was-no-fraud-853417.aspx|archive-date=15 July 2021|access-date=15 July 2021}}</ref>

On 19 July, Fujimori admitted her defeat but reaffirmed that "votes were stolen" from her.<ref name="U.S. News & World Report"/>

===Castillo presidency===
On 20 August 2021, Congress voted against a proposal to declare the former Bolivian president [[Evo Morales]] a [[persona non grata]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 20, 2021|title=Peru's Parliament falls short of declaring Evo Morales persona non grata|url=https://en.mercopress.com/2021/08/20/peru-s-parliament-falls-short-of-declaring-evo-morales-persona-non-grata|access-date=November 22, 2021}}</ref> However, on 22 November 2021, the Foreign Relations Commission of Congress, led by [[Popular Force]], agreed to declare Evo Morales a persona non grata for "his negative political activism" and "political interference" in Peruvian territory, referring to repeated trips Morales undertook to rally support for Castillo's agenda. The Foreign Relations Commission (FRC) also questioned Morales' protection by state security and use of official vehicles. The FRC's resolution urged authorities to take "necessary actions" to prohibit Morales from entering Peru.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-11-22|title=Declaran a Evo Morales persona no grata por "injerencia política" en el Perú|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2021/11/22/evo-morales-comision-de-relaciones-exteriores-del-congreso-declara-a-expresidente-de-bolivia-como-persona-no-grata-por-injerencia-politica-en-el-peru-ernesto-bustamante-fuerza-popular/|access-date=2021-11-23|website=larepublica.pe|language=es}}</ref>

Almost immediately after his appointment as Foreign Minister, the media began reporting on [[Héctor Béjar|Héctor Béjar's]] past. Béjar had been part of the [[National Liberation Army (Peru)|National Liberation Army]] during the 1960s and had met [[Che Guevara]] according to his book "Peru 1965: Notes on a Guerrilla Experience." In a video published in November 2020, Béjar had said that 'terrorism began in the Navy' and that 'the [[Shining Path]] was trained by the CIA', leading to significant public backlash.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-08-17|title=Héctor Béjar genera crisis por declaraciones sobre origen del terrorismo en Perú|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2021/08/17/hector-bejar-genera-crisis-por-declaraciones-sobre-origen-del-terrorismo-en-peru/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831110738/https://larepublica.pe/politica/2021/08/17/hector-bejar-genera-crisis-por-declaraciones-sobre-origen-del-terrorismo-en-peru/|archive-date=August 31, 2021|access-date=2021-09-28|website=larepublica.pe|language=es-PE}}</ref> Later, the Peruvian Navy put out a statement about wanting Béjar to retract, and claimed that Béjar's statement were an affront against those who fought against terrorism.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-08-16|title=Marina de Guerra del Perú expresó su rechazo a las declaraciones del canciller Béjar sobre el terrorismo|url=https://rpp.pe/peru/actualidad/marina-de-guerra-del-peru-expreso-su-rechazo-a-las-declaraciones-del-canciller-bejar-sobre-el-terrorismo-noticia-1352825|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928183110/https://rpp.pe/peru/actualidad/marina-de-guerra-del-peru-expreso-su-rechazo-a-las-declaraciones-del-canciller-bejar-sobre-el-terrorismo-noticia-1352825|archive-date=September 28, 2021|access-date=2021-09-28|website=RPP|language=es}}</ref> Following that, Congress started an [[Interpellation (politics)|interpellation]] process against Béjar, which was seen by many{{Who|date=December 2021}}as a [[show trial]] that would be almost certainly followed by impeachment. However, Béjar resigned before the interpellations began. According to Béjar, Prime Minister [[Guido Bellido]] asked him to resign to prevent him from speaking before Congress, which he said was a way of censoring him.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-08-18|title=Héctor Béjar asegura que no renunció y que su salida de la Cancillería fue solicitada por Guido Bellido {{!}} Pedro Castillo {{!}} Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores {{!}} PCM {{!}} Gabinete {{!}} Marina de Guerra |url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/hector-bejar-asegura-que-no-renuncio-y-que-su-salida-de-la-cancilleria-fue-solicitada-por-guido-bellido-pedro-castillo-ministerio-de-relaciones-exteriores-pcm-gabinete-bellido-nndc-noticia/|access-date=2021-09-28|newspaper=El Comercio|language=es}}</ref> Béjar held the position of Foreign Minister for just 19 days. His replacement was the career diplomat [[Óscar Maúrtua]].

After his resignation, Béjar posted "I am free again!!!" on [[Facebook]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-08-17|title=Héctor Béjar tras renunciar Cancillería: "Vuelvo ser libre" |url=https://diariocorreo.pe/politica/hector-bejar-tras-renunciar-cancilleria-vuelvo-ser-libre-facebook-noticia/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928183110/https://diariocorreo.pe/politica/hector-bejar-tras-renunciar-cancilleria-vuelvo-ser-libre-facebook-noticia/|archive-date=September 28, 2021|access-date=2021-09-28|website=Correo|language=es}}</ref> Later, he would claim that this was the beginning of a [[soft coup]] against the Castillo's government.<ref name="Público">{{cite web|title=Héctor Béjar, excanciller de Perú: "Este es el comienzo de un golpe blando"|url=https://www.publico.es/internacional/internacional-comienzo-golpe-blando.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928183110/https://www.publico.es/internacional/internacional-comienzo-golpe-blando.html|archive-date=September 28, 2021|access-date=2021-09-28|website=Público|date=23 August 2021 |location=Spain}}</ref> Béjar also claimed that there is a group in the Navy and the extreme right that does not want an independent foreign policy.<ref>{{cite web|date=2021-08-18|title=Béjar: Hay un grupo en la Marina y la ultraderecha peruana que no quiere una política exterior independiente|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2021/08/17/hector-bejar-hay-un-grupo-en-la-marina-y-la-ultraderecha-peruana-que-no-quiere-una-politica-exterior-independiente/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928183110/https://larepublica.pe/politica/2021/08/17/hector-bejar-hay-un-grupo-en-la-marina-y-la-ultraderecha-peruana-que-no-quiere-una-politica-exterior-independiente/|archive-date=September 28, 2021|access-date=2021-09-28|website=larepublica.pe|language=es-PE}}</ref> He also claimed that his phrases were distorted and taken out of context. Béjar stated that his expressions on the Navy were about a bomb plot against the Minister of War in 1975, and an attack against two Cuban fishing boats off the coast of Peru in 1977. Declassified documents show that the US Embassy suspected that these attacks were carried out by right-wing sectors of the Navy, which were unhappy with the military junta's close ties to Cuba at the time.<ref name="Público" /><ref>{{cite web|date=2021-08-17|title=Renuncia canciller, primera baja en gabinete peruano|url=https://apnews.com/article/noticias-a8985affeaec8094bd9c3235fd8eff29|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928184046/https://apnews.com/article/noticias-a8985affeaec8094bd9c3235fd8eff29|archive-date=September 28, 2021|access-date=2021-09-28|website=AP NEWS|language=en}}</ref>

To resolve the renewed waves of protests, a delegation led by then Prime Minister [[Guido Bellido]] arrived to [[Tambobamba]] on 17 September. The Prime Minister pledged to negotiate a solution between the mining communities and MMG Limited within two months.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Premier Guido Bellido reinstala en Cotabambas espacio de diálogo que evaluará compromisos asumidos por el Gobierno y minera Las Bambas|url=https://www.gob.pe/institucion/pcm/noticias/523362-premier-guido-bellido-reinstala-en-cotabambas-espacio-de-dialogo-que-evaluara-compromisos-asumidos-por-el-gobierno-y-minera-las-bambas|access-date=2021-10-05|website=gob.pe|language=es-pe}}</ref> However, two weeks later the miners grew upset over a perceived lack of progress, and thus resumed their strike.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-08-17|title=Residents block road near Peru's Las Bambas copper mine after two-week truce|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/residents-block-road-near-perus-las-bambas-copper-mine-after-two-week-truce-2021-08-17/|access-date=2021-09-15|work=Reuters|language=en}}</ref>

The Free Peru parliamentarian Margot Palacios spoke out against the FRC's resolution, saying that "Only a colonial mentality, narrow, premodern, medieval and discriminatory, can deny entry to Peru to a brother who has done much for the Andean culture, of which Peruvians and Bolivians are part of. For several centuries, we were one state: the Tahuantinsuyo."<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-11-22|title=Congresista Margot Palacios: "Solo una mentalidad colonial y discriminadora puede negarle el ingreso al Perú a un hermano que ha hecho mucho por la cultura andina" - Caretas Política|url=https://caretas.pe/politica/congresista-margot-palacios-solo-una-mentalidad-colonial-y-discriminadora-puede-negarle-el-ingreso-al-peru-a-un-hermano-que-ha-hecho-mucho-por-la-cultura-andina/|access-date=2021-11-23|website=Caretas|language=es}}</ref>

On 3 October, the 53rd anniversary of [[Juan Velasco Alvarado|Juan Velasco's]] rise to power via a [[1968 Peruvian coup d'état|military coup d'état]], Castillo announced the start of the Second Agrarian Reform with the aim of helping small farmers and ending abuse and inequality. This was a tacit acknowledgement of the original Agrarian Reform carried out by Velasco. Castillo stated that the Second Agrarian Reform will respect property rights and will not involve the expropriation of land. However, Castillo also stated "Let's end with the bosses and the landowners. They will no longer eat thanks to the sweat of the poor and of the peasants."<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-10-03|title=Pedro Castillo inauguró segunda reforma agraria En Vivo: "Acabemos con los patrones y los hacendados"|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2021/10/03/pedro-castillo-en-vivo-ultimas-noticias-sobre-el-presidente-del-peru-hoy-3-de-octubre-del-2021-atmp/|access-date=2021-10-03|website=larepublica.pe|language=es-PE}}</ref>

On 22 October 2021, the government presented a lawsuit before the Constitutional Court (CT) that Congress' reinterpretation of the question of confidence was unconstitutional.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-10-22|title=Cuestión de confianza: Gobierno presentó demanda ante el Tribunal Constitucional por ley|url=https://rpp.pe/politica/judiciales/cuestion-de-confianza-gobierno-presento-demanda-ante-el-tribunal-constitucional-por-ley-noticia-1364782|access-date=2021-11-19|website=RPP|language=es}}</ref> The CT unanimously admitted the case on 28 October 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-10-28|title=Tribunal Constitucional admitió a trámite la demanda del Ejecutivo contra ley que regula la cuestión de confianza|url=https://rpp.pe/politica/judiciales/tribunal-constitucional-admitio-a-tramite-la-demanda-del-ejecutivo-contra-ley-que-regula-la-cuestion-de-confianza-noticia-1366061|access-date=2021-11-19|website=RPP|language=es}}</ref> On 2 November 2021, Eloy Espinosa-Saldaña, who was appointed [[rapporteur]] of the case, asked Congress to quickly respond to the lawsuit. Meanwhile, the Minister of Justice, Aníbal Torres, claimed that if the CT respected its past judgements, it should declare the unconstitutionality of the law that reinterprets the question of trust.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-11-02|title=Espinosa-Saldaña pide al Congreso acelerar su respuesta sobre demanda de inconstitucionalidad|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2021/11/02/tribunal-constitucional-eloy-espinosa-saldana-pide-al-congreso-acelerar-su-respuesta-sobre-demanda-de-inconstitucionalidad-del-gobierno/|access-date=2021-11-19|website=larepublica.pe|language=es}}</ref>

On 4 November, the General Commander of the Army, José Vizcarra Álvarez, and Jorge Luis Chaparro, the General Commander of the Air Force, were relieved from their duties. Both had served in their positions for three months prior to their removal.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-11-05|title=Designan a nuevos comandantes generales del Ejército y la Fuerza Aérea|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2021/11/04/ejercito-del-peru-fuerza-aerea-fap-designan-a-nuevos-comandantes-generales-javier-artadi-walter-cordova-mdga/|access-date=2021-11-08|website=larepublica.pe|language=es-PE}}</ref> On 8 November 2021, Vizcarra claimed that President Castillo, Defense Minister [[Walter Ayala]], and presidential secretary Bruno Pacheco had pressured him to irregularly promote two [[colonel]]s. Vizcarra claimed that his refusal to promote them led to him being removed as General Commander of the Army.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-11-08|title=Excomandante General del Ejército denuncia que el presidente Castillo y su secretario le pidieron ascender a dos coroneles|url=https://rpp.pe/politica/actualidad/excomandante-general-del-ejercito-denuncia-que-el-presidente-castillo-y-su-secretario-le-pidieron-ascender-a-dos-coroneles-noticia-1367921|access-date=2021-11-09|website=RPP|language=es}}</ref>

On 6 November, Free Peru's Regional Secretary Jorge Spelucín claimed that President Castillo had cut off all communication channels with Free Peru. Spelucín claimed that the President's environment was guiding him towards the political center and right, and that Free Peru wanted to help Castillo return to the left. Former Prime Minister Guido Bellido also affirmed that Castillo had cut off communication after the resignation of the Bellido cabinet.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-11-06|title=Spelucín, secretario regional de Perú Libre, señala que Pedro Castillo cortó comunicación con el partido|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2021/11/06/spelucin-secretario-regional-de-peru-libre-senala-que-pedro-castillo-corto-comunicacion-con-el-partido/|access-date=2021-11-06|website=larepublica.pe|language=es-PE}}</ref> Bellido also claimed that Castillo's ideological formation "is not from the left," but rather at "the level of a basic trade unionist."<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-11-05|title=Guido Bellido afirma que Pedro Castillo no es de izquierda y tiene "un nivel sindicalista básico" Vladimir Cerrón Perú Libre Mirtha Vásquez |url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/gobierno/guido-bellido-afirma-que-pedro-castillo-no-es-de-izquierda-y-tiene-un-nivel-sindicalista-basico-vladimir-cerron-peru-libre-mirtha-vasquez-nndc-noticia/|access-date=2021-11-06|newspaper=El Comercio|language=es}}</ref>

Subsequently, members from the Congressional opposition denounced the alleged irregularities. They began to prepare a motion of [[Interpellation (politics)|interpellation]] against the Defense Minister, which would allow Congress to question him on the incident. Jorge Montoya, the spokesperson of [[Popular Renewal]], stated that following the interpellations he would impeach Ayala. Afterward, Ayala stated that he was evaluating resigning as Minister of Defense due to "continuous attacks." However, he denied claims that he had interfered with the promotions.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Escándalo por ascensos en las Fuerzas Armadas de Perú vuelve a ocasionar crisis en el gobierno de Pedro Castillo|url=https://www.infobae.com/america/peru/2021/11/08/escandalo-por-ascensos-en-las-fuerzas-armadas-de-peru-vuelve-a-ocasionar-crisis-en-el-gobierno-de-pedro-castillo/|access-date=2021-11-09|website=infobae|language=es-ES|date=8 November 2021}}</ref>

Afterward, several other generals affirmed that the Secretary of the Presidency had interfered with promotions.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-11-09|title=Generales confirman que secretario de la Presidencia interfirió en ascensos|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2021/11/09/fuerzas-armadas-generales-confirman-que-secretario-de-la-presidencia-bruno-pacheco-interfirio-en-ascensos-pedro-castillo-walter-ayala/|access-date=2021-11-09|website=larepublica.pe|language=es}}</ref> Chaparro, the former commander of the Air force, claimed that he had been asked on 3 occasions to promote people who did not have the necessary skills.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-11-08|title=Excomandante de la FAP sobre ascensos: El ministro Ayala "me dijo que era un pedido de arriba"|url=https://rpp.pe/peru/actualidad/excomandante-de-la-fap-sobre-ascensos-el-ministro-ayala-me-dijo-que-era-un-pedido-de-arriba-noticia-1368087|access-date=2021-11-09|website=RPP|language=es}}</ref> The leader of Free Peru, [[Vladimir Cerrón]], distanced his party from the scandal, saying that Free Peru does not lead the current government.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cerrón tras escándalo por ascensos en las FF.AA.: Perú Libre no dirige al actual gobierno|url=https://canaln.pe/actualidad/cerron-escandalo-ascensos-ffaa-peru-libre-no-dirige-al-actual-gobierno-n440688|access-date=2021-11-09|website=canaln.pe|date=9 November 2021 |language=es}}</ref> Meanwhile, Prime Minister [[Mirtha Vásquez]] gave a statement, saying that the government respects an attitude of non-interference in the Armed Forces. She stated that "serious" facts were revealed, and that a decision would be announced within the next few hours.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-11-09|title=Mirtha Vásquez sobre crisis en Ejecutivo: Vamos a comunicar decisiones en las próximas horas|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2021/11/09/mirtha-vasquez-sobre-crisis-en-ejecutivo-vamos-a-comunicar-decisiones-en-las-proximas-horas-fuerzas-armadas/|access-date=2021-11-09|website=larepublica.pe|language=es}}</ref>

On 8 November, the Interior Ministry claimed that groups consisting of ex-military and ex-police personnel are appearing, many of whom being veterans of the [[Internal conflict in Peru|war against the Shining Path]]. Representatives from said groups and other related groups claimed to have pacifist intentions, citing plans for a march and their right to "freely defend themselves and protest."<ref>{{cite web|date=2021-11-08|title=Inteligencia del Mininter identifica a exmilitares extremistas|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2021/11/07/ministerio-del-interior-inteligencia-identifica-a-exmilitares-extremistas-pedro-castillo-vacancia-presidencial/|access-date=2021-11-09|website=larepublica.pe|language=es}}</ref>

On 13 November, Justice Minister [[Aníbal Torres]] called on Walter Ayala to resign.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-11-13|title=Aníbal Torres: "En mi opinión, Walter Ayala ha debido renunciar, no solo poner su cargo a disposición"|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2021/11/13/anibal-torres-walter-ayala-ha-debido-renunciar-no-solo-poner-su-cargo-a-disposicion-ministerio-de-defensa/|access-date=2021-11-14|website=larepublica.pe|language=es}}</ref> Meanwhile, Health Minister [[Hernando Cevallos]] stated that Castillo was very annoyed with presidential secretary Bruno Pacheco's behavior, and that he had removed those people who may violate the independence of the armed forces.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-11-13|title=Hernando Cevallos afirma que Pedro Castillo está "sumamente fastidiado" por crisis en ascensos en las FF.AA. {{!}} Walter Ayala {{!}} Bruno Pacheco |url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/hernando-cevallos-afirma-que-pedro-castillo-esta-sumamente-fastidiado-por-crisis-en-ascensos-en-las-ffaa-walter-ayala-bruno-pacheco-nndc-noticia/|access-date=2021-11-14|newspaper=El Comercio|language=es}}</ref> Additionally, rumors grew that Prime Minister [[Mirtha Vásquez]] might resign due to the controversy. In Peruvian law, the resignation of the PM dissolves the entire cabinet. Responding to the rumors, Labor Minister Betssy Chávez said that there was "a lot of speculation" on the matter, but affirmed that the cabinet would work together.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-11-13|title=Betssy Chávez sobre permanencia de Mirtha Vásquez en la PCM: "Entiendo que hay muchas especulaciones"|url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/betssy-chavez-sobre-permanencia-de-mirtha-vasquez-en-la-pcm-entiendo-que-hay-muchas-especulaciones-nndc-noticia/|access-date=2021-11-14|newspaper=El Comercio|language=es}}</ref> Meanwhile, Aníbal Torres downplayed such rumors, saying that he hadn't seen "differences" between Castillo and Vásquez.<ref>{{cite web|date=2021-11-13|title=Ministro Torres: "Yo no he visto que Mirtha Vásquez tenga diferencias con el presidente Castillo"|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2021/11/13/anibal-torres-ministro-de-justicia-yo-no-he-visto-que-mirtha-vasquez-tenga-diferencias-con-el-presidente-pedro-castillo-walter-ayala-ffaa/|access-date=2021-11-14|website=larepublica.pe|language=es}}</ref>

On 14 November, Walter Ayala announced his irrevocable resignation.<ref>{{cite web|date=2021-11-14|title=Walter Ayala anuncia vía Twitter su renuncia "irrevocable" al cargo de ministro de Defensa|url=https://rpp.pe/politica/actualidad/walter-ayala-anuncia-via-twitter-su-renuncia-irrevocable-al-cargo-de-ministro-de-defensa-noticia-1369103|access-date=2021-11-14|website=RPP|language=es}}</ref> However, the next day, Ayala stated that the resignation would only become effective once Castillo accepted it, and that he would continue working in the meanwhile. Ayala stated that he could not abandon his post since there was no replacement as of then, and accused Congress of not allowing him to work.<ref>{{cite web|date=2021-11-15|title=Walter Ayala: "La renuncia se hará efectiva cuando el presidente la acepte"|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2021/11/15/walter-ayala-la-renuncia-se-hara-efectiva-cuando-el-presidente-la-acepte/|access-date=2021-11-15|website=larepublica.pe|language=es}}</ref> Later that day, Castillo accepted the resignation of Walter Ayala and thanked him for his services.<ref>{{cite news|date=2021-11-15|title=Pedro Castillo aceptó la renuncia de Walter Ayala como ministro de Defensa |url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/pedro-castillo-acepto-la-renuncia-de-walter-ayala-como-ministro-de-defensa-noticia/|access-date=2021-11-15|newspaper=El Comercio|language=es}}</ref> On 17 November, Juan Carrasco was sworn in as the new Defense Minister. Carrasco had previously been Castillo's Interior Minister during the Bellido cabinet.<ref>{{cite web|date=2021-11-17|title=Juan Carrasco Millones juró esta noche como ministro de Defensa|url=https://rpp.pe/politica/gobierno/juan-carrasco-millones-juro-esta-noche-como-ministro-de-defensa-noticia-1369883|access-date=2021-11-18|website=RPP|language=es}}</ref>

In December 2021, prosecutor José Domingo Pérez reported that Keiko Fujimori received one million dollars from the Odebrecht Department of Structured Operations that was delivered through offshore intermediary accounts of Gonzalo Monteverde's company Construmaq.<ref name="El Búho-2021">{{cite web|date=10 December 2021|title=José Domingo Pérez: Keiko Fujimori recibió millón de dólares de Odebrecht como congresista (VIDEO)|url=https://elbuho.pe/2021/12/jose-domingo-perez-keiko-fujimori-recibio-millon-de-dolares-de-odebrecht-como-congresista-video/|access-date=21 December 2021|website=El Búho|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=17 December 2021|title=Keiko Fujimori: Fiscal Pérez sustentó la ruta de los aportes para financiar la campaña presidencial en el 2011|url=https://rpp.pe/politica/judiciales/keiko-fujimori-fiscal-perez-sustento-la-ruta-de-los-aportes-para-financiar-la-campana-presidencial-en-el-2011-noticia-1375580|access-date=21 December 2021|website=RPP|language=es}}</ref> Domingo stated that he held 1,900 pieces of evidence to determine that a criminal group existed within Popular Force.<ref name="El Búho-2021"/>

====First removal attempt====
Presented in visitor documents as a lobbyist for the construction company Termirex, [[Karelim López]] met with Castillo's chief of staff Bruno Pacheco multiple times.<ref name="IDL Reporteros-2021-2">{{cite web |date=3 December 2021 |title=El sombrero sin cabeza |url=https://www.idl-reporteros.pe/el-sombrero-sin-cabeza/ |access-date=10 May 2022 |website=[[IDL Reporteros]]}}</ref> In November 2021, four months into his term, Keiko Fujimori announced that her party was pushing forward [[impeachment]] proceedings, arguing that Castillo was "morally unfit for office".<ref>{{cite news|date=19 November 2021|title=Peru's Keiko Fujimori backs long-shot effort to impeach President Castillo|work=[[Reuters]]|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/perus-keiko-fujimori-backs-long-shot-effort-impeach-president-castillo-2021-11-19/|access-date=20 November 2021}}</ref> That day, investigators raided the Government Palace during an [[influence peddling]] investigation and found that Pacheco had US$20,000 present in his office's bathroom.<ref name="BBC News-2021">{{cite news|date=24 November 2021|title=Peru's chief of staff stashed $20,000 in palace bathroom|work=[[BBC News]]|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-59401139|access-date=27 November 2021}}</ref><ref name="Al Jazeera-2021">{{cite web|date=26 November 2021|title=Peru opposition moves to impeach President Pedro Castillo|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/26/peru-opposition-moves-to-impeach-president-pedro-castillo |access-date=27 November 2021|website=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]]}}</ref> Pacheco said that the money was part of his savings and salary, though he resigned from his position in order to prevent the scandal from affecting Castillo.<ref name="BBC News-2021" /> On 25 November 28 legislators from Fujimori's party presented a signed motion of impeachment to congress, setting up a vote for opening impeachment proceedings against Castillo.<ref name="Al Jazeera-2021" /> A short time later, controversy arose when newspapers reported that Castillo had met with individuals at his former campaign headquarters in [[Breña]] without public record, a potential violation of a recently created, complicated set of transparency regulations.<ref>{{cite web|last=Salazar Vega|first=Elizabeth|date=12 January 2021|title=Reuniones paralelas del presidente Castillo pueden derivar en investigaciones administrativas y penales|url=https://ojo-publico.com/3205/reuniones-del-presidente-en-brena-pueden-derivar-en-casos-penales |access-date=8 December 2021|website=[[OjoPúblico]]|language=es}}</ref> Lobbyist Karelim López would also become entangled with the controversy in Breña after the company Terminex, who she lobbied for, won the Tarata III Bridge Consortium contract worth 255.9 million soles.<ref name="IDL Reporteros-2021-2"/><ref>{{cite web |date=4 December 2021 |title=¿Cuál es la relación entre Karelim López y Karem Roca? |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2021/12/03/cual-es-la-relacion-entre-karelim-lopez-y-karem-roca-pedro-castillo-bruno-pacheco/ |access-date=10 May 2022 |website=[[La República (Peru)|La Republica]] |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=9 December 2021 |title=Karelim López: ¿la afortunada vida de una lobista? |url=https://elbuho.pe/2021/12/karelim-lopez-la-afortunada-vida-de-una-lobista/ |access-date=10 May 2022 |website=El Búho |language=es}}</ref> Audios purportedly obtained at the residence and released by [[América Televisión]] were criticized and dismissed as a scam.<ref>{{cite web|date=6 December 2021|title=Juliana Oxenford arremete contra Cuarto Poder por "audio bomba": "No fue ni chispita mariposa"|url=https://larepublica.pe/espectaculos/2021/12/06/juliana-oxenford-sobre-audio-bomba-de-cuarto-poder-no-fue-ni-chispita-mariposa/ |access-date=8 December 2021|website=[[La República (Peru)|La Republica]]|language=es}}</ref> Castillo responded to the impeachment threat stating: "I am not worried about the political noise because the people have chosen me, not the mafias or the corrupt."<ref name="IDL Reporteros-2021" /> The impeachment proceeding did not occur, as 76 voted against proceedings, 46 were in favor, and 4 abstained, with a requirement of 52 favoring proceedings not being obtained.<ref name="La Republica-2021">{{cite web|date=7 December 2021|title=Congreso no admite a debate moción de vacancia contra Pedro Castillo|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2021/12/07/pedro-castillo-congreso-no-admite-a-debate-mocion-de-vacancia-presidencial-contra-el-presidente-de-la-republica-congreso-el-peru-patricia-chirinos/ |access-date=8 December 2021|website=[[La República (Peru)|La Republica]]|language=es}}</ref> Free Peru ultimately supported Castillo through the process and described the vote as an attempted right-wing coup.<ref>{{cite news|last=Aquino|first=Marco|date=8 December 2021|title=Peru's Castillo fends off Congress impeachment vote amid protests|publisher=[[Reuters]]|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/perus-castillo-braces-impeachment-vote-protests-brew-2021-12-07/|access-date=8 December 2021}}</ref> Castillo responded to the vote stating: "Brothers and sisters, let's end political crises and work together to achieve a just and supportive Peru."<ref name="La Republica-2021" />

====Second removal attempt and protests====
[[File:2022_Peruvian_protests_-_Pedro_Castillo_meeting_3_April.png|thumb|275px|Negotiations between President Pedro Castillo and a trade union in April 2022]]
In February 2022, it was reported that Fujimorists and politicians close to Fujimori organized a meeting at the Casa Andina hotel in Lima with the assistance of the [[German liberal]] group [[Friedrich Naumann Foundation]], with those present including [[Maricarmen Alva]], [[President of the Congress of the Republic of Peru]], discussing plans to remove President Castillo from office.<ref>{{cite web |date=14 February 2022 |title=Fujimoristas detrás de encuentro sobre la vacancia |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2022/02/14/maria-del-carmen-alva-fujimoristas-detras-de-encuentro-sobre-la-vacancia-presidencial-keiko-fujimori/ |access-date=7 April 2022 |website=[[La República (Peru)|La Republica]] |language=es}}</ref> Alva had already shared her readiness to assume the presidency of Peru if Castillo were to be vacated from the position and a leaked [[Telegram (software)|Telegram]] group chat of the Board of Directors of Congress that she heads revealed plans coordinated to oust Castillo.<ref>{{cite web |date=6 February 2022 |title=Alva sobre eventual asunción a la presidencia: 'Uno tiene que estar preparado para todo' |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2022/02/06/maria-del-carmen-alva-sobre-eventual-asuncion-a-la-presidencia-uno-tiene-que-estar-preparado-para-todo/ |access-date=7 April 2022 |website=[[La República (Peru)|La Republica]] |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=11 February 2022 |title=Congreso: miembros de la oposición sostuvieron reunión para vacar al presidente Pedro Castillo |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2022/02/11/oposicion-parlamentaria-sostuvo-reunion-para-vacar-al-presidente-pedro-castillo/ |access-date=7 April 2022 |website=[[La República (Peru)|La Republica]] |language=es}}</ref> A second impeachment attempt related to corruption allegations did make it to proceedings in March 2022. On 28 March 2022, Castillo appeared before Congress calling the allegations baseless and for legislators to "vote for democracy" and "against instability", with 55 voting for impeachment, 54 voting against, and 19 abstaining, not reaching the 87 votes necessary for impeaching Castillo.<ref>{{cite web |date=28 March 2022 |title=Pleno del Congreso no aprueba moción de vacancia presidencial contra Pedro Castillo |url=https://rpp.pe/politica/congreso/pleno-del-congreso-rechazo-mocion-de-vacancia-presidencial-contra-pedro-castillo-noticia-1395967 |access-date=29 March 2022 |website=RPP |language=es}}</ref>

On 1 April, protesters in [[Department of Junín|Junín]] began to riot, looting stores, ATMs and pharmacies, with authorities announcing that 10 were arrested during the riots.<ref name="IDL-Reporteros-2020" /> Simultaneously, representatives of the Castillo government travelled through the nation to negotiate with UGTRANM and transportation representatives, though they were turned away.<ref name="IDL-Reporteros-2020" /> UGTRANM leaders demanded that the Castillo administration lower fuel prices, though the government had already instituted the Fuel Price Stabilization Fund according to economist Jorge Gonzales Izquierdo in order to prevent diesel fuel price hikes.<ref name="IDL-Reporteros-2020" /> The government removed a fuel tax that added about 30% to prices, though fuel stations refused to lower their prices.<ref>{{cite web |date=5 April 2022 |title=Peru imposes, then withdraws curfew to quell price protests |url=https://apnews.com/article/covid-business-health-lima-peru-3f78910e94d2c80d51bae0b5f4bbc749 |access-date=6 April 2022 |website=[[Associated Press]] |language=en |archive-date=6 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406023817/https://apnews.com/article/covid-business-health-lima-peru-3f78910e94d2c80d51bae0b5f4bbc749 |url-status=live}}</ref> UGTRANM's Diez Villegas on 2 April announced a national [[general strike]] to occur on 4 April.<ref name="IDL-Reporteros-2020" />

On 9 April, President Castillo presented a constitutional amendment proposal to reform Article 61 of the Peruvian constitution, sharing plans on what he said would ban "monopolies, oligopolies, hoarding, [[speculation]] or price agreements, as well as the abuse of dominant positions in the market" in order to establish a [[Social Market Economy|social market economy.]]<ref>{{cite web |date=9 April 2022 |title=Pedro Castillo presenta al Congreso proyecto de ley de reforma constitucional para prohibir monopolios |url=https://rpp.pe/politica/gobierno/pedro-castillo-presenta-al-congreso-proyecto-de-ley-de-reforma-constitucional-para-prohibir-monopolios-noticia-1398541 |access-date=10 April 2022 |website=RPP |language=es |archive-date=10 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410031343/https://rpp.pe/politica/gobierno/pedro-castillo-presenta-al-congreso-proyecto-de-ley-de-reforma-constitucional-para-prohibir-monopolios-noticia-1398541 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Despite a truce between the government and some groups, unions in Cusco began protests on 18 April demanding the lowering of prices and the rewriting of the Peruvian constitution, resulting with hundreds of tourists being stranded in some areas.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cinque |first=Alessandro |date=19 April 2022 |title=Peru inflation protests grip tourist capital Cuzco, gateway to Machu Picchu |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/peru-inflation-protests-grip-tourist-capital-cuzco-gateway-machu-picchu-2022-04-19/ |access-date=21 April 2022}}</ref>

In July 2022, a fifth inquest was launched into Castillo's alleged involvement in corruption.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://en.mercopress.com/2022/07/23/peru-case-against-castillo-reopened-despite-immunity |title=Peru: Case against Castillo reopened despite immunity |work=MercoPress |date=23 July 2022 |access-date=23 September 2022}}</ref>

On 5 November, thousands of opponents of the government marched through the capital's center to call for the removal of President Pedro Castillo.<ref>{{cite news |title=Thousands march in Peru calling for president's removal |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20221106-thousands-march-in-peru-calling-for-president-s-removal |work=France 24 |date=6 November 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

====Self-coup attempt and removal====
{{main|Third impeachment and removal of Pedro Castillo|2022 Peruvian self-coup attempt}}
On 8 November 2022, [[President of the Council of Ministers of Peru|Prime Minister]] [[Aníbal Torres]] asked Congress to vote on a matter of confidence to reform Law 31355, which would modify the parliamentary procedure to dissolve congress and call congressional elections. Congress shelved the Executive's request for reform, for which on November 11 Castillo warned: “We have declared before Parliament a prerogative of the Executive, as is the question of trust. Today we know the answer. I must announce that the Executive will also give an answer in the next few hours to the Peruvian people."

On 17 November, Torres once again asked Congress to vote on another question of confidence to repeal another law, 31399, which was approved in January 2022 and which modified the referendum.<ref>{{cite web |date=2022-11-17 |title=Pedro Castillo: "Invoco al Congreso a aprobar la cuestión de confianza para restablecer la democracia ciudadana" |url=https://rpp.pe/politica/gobierno/cuestion-de-confianza-pedro-castillo-no-se-puede-recortar-la-participacion-del-pueblo-a-impulsar-reformas-via-referendum-noticia-1447464 |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=RPP |language=es}}</ref>  The Government opposed the rule, alleging that it prevented the participation of citizens directly. On November 24, the Board of Directors of Congress rejected the question of confidence. The president of the Congress, [[José Williams]], explained that the President of the Republic cannot attribute an interpretation contrary to that indicated by the Constitution and the regulations of Parliament, doing so would lead to an unconstitutional dissolution of Congress<ref>{{cite web |last=de 2022 |first=25 de Noviembre |title=José Williams responde a Pedro Castillo y advierte que puede producirse "una disolución inconstitucional del Congreso" |url=https://www.infobae.com/america/peru/2022/11/25/jose-williams-responde-a-pedro-castillo-y-advierte-que-puede-producirse-una-disolucion-inconstitucional-del-congreso/ |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=infobae |date=25 November 2022 |language=es-ES}}</ref>'''.''' On the other hand, on 30 November the Constitutional Court declared unfounded the claim of unconstitutionality filed by the Executive Power against Law 31399.<ref>{{cite web |title=TC Declara Infundada La Demanda De Inconstitucionalidad Contra La Ley 31399, Ley Que Regula El Referéndum |url=https://www.tc.gob.pe/institucional/notas-de-prensa/tc-declara-infundada-la-demanda-de-inconstitucionalidad-contra-la-ley-31399-ley-que-regula-el-referendum/ |access-date=2022-12-12 |language=es}}</ref>

Despite the Government's interpretations of having considered that two questions of trust were allegedly denied, Congressmen and specialists in constitutional law declared that the constitution would be infringed.<ref name="El Comercio Perú-2022">{{cite news |date=2022-11-25 |title=Pedro Castillo interpreta que se negó primera cuestión de confianza |url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/gobierno/pedro-castillo-interpreta-que-se-nego-primera-cuestion-de-confianza-congreso-noticia/ |access-date=2022-12-12 |newspaper=El Comercio |language=es |last1=Zubieta Pacco |first1=René |last2=Calderón |first2=Martín }}</ref> Reforming a law is the exclusive competence of the Legislature and therefore, only Congress can interpret whether or not trust was denied.<ref name="El Comercio Perú-2022" />

On 24 November, Torres resigned again. It was accepted and Minister of Culture [[Betssy Chávez]] was selected by President Castillo to replace him.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pedro Castillo swears in Betssy Chávez as Peru's new prime minister |url=https://www.msn.com/en-xl/news/other/pedro-castillo-swears-in-betssy-ch%C3%A1vez-as-peru-s-new-prime-minister/ar-AA14z0GD |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=MSN |language=en-XL}}</ref>

On 29 November, the non-grouped congressman [[Edward Málaga]] presented the presidential vacancy motion for "moral ineptitude" with 67 signatures, which exceeded the necessary minimum number of 26 signatures.<ref>{{cite web |date=29 November 2022 |title=Presentan tercera moción de vacancia contra Pedro Castillo |url=https://rpp.pe/politica/congreso/pedro-castillo-presentan-tercera-mocion-de-vacancia-contra-el-presidente-noticia-1450153 |access-date=2 December 2022 |publisher=RPP Noticias}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Tamullipa |first=Gianella |date=2022-12-05 |title=Es cierto que la última moción de vacancia contra Pedro Castillo es la primera presentada con 67 firmas de congresistas |url=https://ojo-publico.com/3929/es-cierto-el-dato-malaga-sobre-firmas-mocion-vacancia |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=Ojo Público |language=es}}</ref> The debate for the admission of the vacancy motion was held on 1 December.<ref>{{cite news |date=1 December 2022 |title=Pedro Castillo: Congreso decidirá este jueves 1 de diciembre si admite a debate la moción de vacancia |url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/pedro-castillo-presentan-tercera-mocion-de-vacancia-contra-el-presidente-congreso-noticia/ |access-date=2 December 2022 |newspaper=El Comercio |last1=Zubieta Pacco |first1=René }}</ref> When the date arrived, the motion was admitted to debate with 73 votes in favor, 32 against and 6 abstentions, with which the President of the Republic was summoned to the Plenary on 7 December 2022 to exercise his right to defense.<ref name="mocion">{{cite news |date=1 December 2022 |title=Congreso admite moción y debatirá vacancia presidencial el 7 de diciembre |url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/congreso/vacancia-en-vivo-congreso-admision-de-tercera-mocion-para-destituir-al-presidente-pedro-castillo-oficialismo-peru-libre-dina-boluarte-votacion-bancadas-en-directo-transmision-noticia/ |access-date=2 December 2022 |newspaper=El Comercio |last1=Zubieta Pacco |first1=René }}</ref> The vacancy required a qualified majority (two thirds of the legal number of congressmen, which corresponds to 87 votes in favor of 130); however, various voices considered that the votes were not guaranteed to approve the vacancy,<ref>{{cite web |date=2022-12-02 |title=Luis Aragón considera que "no hay votos" necesarios para la tercera moción de vacancia contra Pedro Castillo |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/congreso/2022/12/02/pedro-castillo-luis-aragon-considera-que-no-hay-votos-necesarios-para-la-tercera-mocion-de-vacancia-contra-el-presidente/ |access-date=2022-12-09 |website=larepublica.pe |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2022-12-07 |title=Tercer proceso de vacancia sin los votos asegurados en el Congreso |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/congreso/2022/12/07/pedro-castillo-tercer-proceso-de-vacancia-sin-los-votos-asegurados-en-el-congreso-peru-libre-betssy-chavez-salatiel-marrufo-suspension-presidencial/ |access-date=2022-12-09 |website=larepublica.pe |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Golpe Torpe de Pedro Castillo: ¿Qué Pasó Hoy? | website=[[YouTube]] | date=7 December 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UENTEc3uNqA |language=es-ES |access-date=2022-12-08}}</ref> despite this, an unexpected event occurred hours before the session.

On 5 December, just days before Congress was set to vote on impeaching Castillo, a constitutional complaint was filed by the Subcommittee on Constitutional Accusations against Vice President [[Dina Boluarte]], alleging that she operated a private club while she was the Minister of Development.<ref name="Gestión-2022">{{cite news |date=5 December 2022 |title=Dina Boluarte: Subcomisión de Acusaciones archiva denuncia constitucional contra vicepresidenta |url=https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/dina-boluarte-subcomision-de-acusaciones-archiva-denuncia-constitucional-contra-vicepresidenta-rmmn-noticia/ |access-date=8 December 2022 |website=Gestión |language=es}}</ref> The allegations against Boluarte created the potential for the vice president to face controversy if Castillo were to be impeached.<ref name="Gestión-2022" />

On 6 December, [[Chief of the Joint Command (Peru)|Chief of the Joint Command]] General [[:es:Manuel Gómez de la Torre|Manuel Gómez de la Torre]] held a meeting with the branch heads of the [[armed forces of Peru]].<ref>{{cite web |date=11 December 2022 |title=El papel trascendental de las FFAA |url=https://twitter.com/puntofinalof/status/1602118424104243201 |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=[[:es:Latina Televisión|Latina Televisión]] |language=en}}</ref> During the meeting, General Gómez de la Torre warned the branch heads of a pending conflict, stating "I am responsible. There are no other orders". Commanding general of the [[Army of Peru]], Wálter Córdova, also submitted his resignation on 6 December, with the submission being approved the next morning.

On 7 December, Congress was expected to file a [[motion of censure]] against Castillo, accusing him of "[[Vacancy due to moral incapacity (Peru)|permanent moral incapacity]]".<ref name="CNN-2022">{{cite news |date=7 December 2022 |title=Presidente Pedro Castillo disuelve temporalmente el Congreso de Perú |language=es |website=[[CNN]] |url=https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/2022/12/07/presidente-pedro-castillo-cierra-temporalmente-el-congreso-de-peru/ |access-date=2022-12-07}}</ref> Before the legislative body could gather to file its motion, Castillo announced the dissolution of Congress and enacted an immediate [[curfew]].<ref name="CNN-2022" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Quesada |first=Juan Diego |date=9 December 2022 |title=Inside the coup in Peru: 'President, what have you done?' |url=https://english.elpais.com/international/2022-12-09/inside-the-coup-in-peru-president-what-have-you-done.html |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=EL PAÍS English Edition |language=en-us}}</ref> In his speech, Castillo stated:<ref name="Chillitupa Tantas-2022">{{cite news |last=Chillitupa Tantas |first=Rodrigo |date=7 December 2022 |title=Presidente de Perú disuelve Congreso, declara "gobierno de excepción" y llama a elecciones |language=es |website=Voz de América |url=https://www.vozdeamerica.com/a/presidente-de-peru-pedro-castillo-disuelve-el-congreso-/6866334.html |access-date=8 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=7 December 2022 |title=Pedro Castillo anuncia toque de queda ante Cierre del Congreso de la República |url=https://www.infobae.com/america/peru/2022/12/07/pedro-castillo-anuncia-toque-de-queda-ante-cierre-del-congreso-de-la-republica/ |access-date=19 January 2023 |website=[[Infobae]] |language=es-ES}}</ref>

{{Blockquote|text=[T]he majority of Congress, which defends the interests of the big monopolies and oligopolies, has done everything to try to destroy the institution of the presidency ... The Executive has sent to Congress more than 70 bills of national interest with the aim of benefiting the most vulnerable sectors of the population, such as the Massification of Gas, the creation of the Ministry of Science and Technology and Innovation, Free Admission to Universities, the Second Agrarian Reform, the Tax Reform, the Reform of the Justice System, the elimination of the subsidiary economic activity of the State Congress sought to prosecute the president for treason with unsustainable and absurd arguments from one of constitutionalist jurists, ... Without the slightest evidence, Congress charged the president with crimes many times, often based on claims made by a mercenary, corrupt and cynical press, which defames and slanders in absolute debauchery. However, the congress does not investigate and sanction criminal acts of its own members. Congress has destroyed the rule of law, democracy, separation, and balance of powers by modifying the Constitution with ordinary laws to destroy the Executive and establish a congressional dictatorship with the endorsement, as they themselves state, of the Constitutional Court. ... The following measures are dictated: to temporarily dissolve the Congress of the Republic and establish an exceptional [[emergency government]]. Elections will be called for a new Congress with constituent powers to draft a new Constitution within no more than nine months.}}

He then called on individuals possessing illegal weapons to deliver them to the [[National Police of Peru|National Police]] within 72 hours and ordered all troops of the [[Peruvian Army]] to remain at their barracks, saying that he did not want clashes between citizens and the military.<ref name="Chillitupa Tantas-2022" /><ref>{{cite web |date=9 December 2022 |title=Exministro Gustavo Bobbio niega haber conocido golpe de Estado de Pedro Castillo: "No hubiera hecho algo tan torpe" |url=https://rpp.pe/politica/gobierno/exministro-gustavo-bobbio-niega-haber-conocido-golpe-de-estado-de-pedro-castillo-no-hubiera-hecho-algo-tan-torpe-noticia-1452577 |access-date=3 January 2023 |website=[[RPP (Peru)|RPP]] |language=es}}</ref>

[[File:2022 Peruvian self-coup d'état attempt armed forces reject Castillo.jpg|thumb|upright|Document of the [[Joint Command of the Armed Forces of Peru|CCFFAA]] and [[National Police of Peru|PNP]] rejecting the actions of Castillo]]

The [[Constitutional Court of Peru|Constitutional Court]] released a statement following the coup: "No one owes obedience to a usurping government and Mr. Pedro Castillo has made an ineffective coup d'état. The Armed Forces are empowered to restore the constitutional order."<ref name="Chillitupa Tantas-2022" /> The [[Peruvian Armed Forces|Armed Forces]] also issued a statement rejecting Castillo's actions and calling for the maintenance of stability in Peru.<ref>{{cite news |date=8 December 2022 |title=Pedro Castillo cierra el Congreso, en vivo: disolución, mensaje del presidente y últimas noticias |language=es-pe |work=[[Diario AS]] |url=https://peru.as.com/actualidad/pedro-castillo-cierra-el-congreso-en-vivo-mensaje-del-presidente-y-ultimas-noticias-n/}}</ref> Democratic institutions and civil society quickly rejected Castillo's actions,<ref>{{cite web |date=2022-12-08 |title=Human Rights Watch Statement on Coup in Peru |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/12/08/human-rights-watch-statement-coup-peru |access-date=25 March 2023 |website=Human Rights Watch |language=en}}</ref> Moments after Castillo's speech, multiple ministers resigned from his government, including Prime Minister [[Betssy Chávez]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Betssy Chavéz presentó su renuncia irrevocable a la PCM tras golpe de Estado de Pedro Castillo |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/gobierno/2022/12/07/pedro-castillo-betssy-chavez-presento-su-renuncia-irrevocable-a-la-pcm-tras-golpe-de-estado-del-presidente/ |access-date=8 December 2022 |work=La República |date=7 December 2022}}</ref>

Rejecting Castillo's actions to dissolve the legislative body, Congress gathered and voted to remove Castillo from office due to "moral incapacity" with 101 votes in favor, 6 against and 10 abstentions.<ref name="El Comercio (Perú)-2022">{{cite news |date=7 December 2022 |title=Congreso destituye a Pedro Castillo y tomará juramento a Dina Boluarte a las 3&nbsp;pm |url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/congreso/vacancia-presidencial-en-vivo-pedro-castillo-congreso-destitucion-del-presidente-del-peru-en-directo-votos-dina-boluarte-dini-peru-libre-app-partidos-politicos-congresistas-noticia/ |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=[[El Comercio (Perú)]] |language=es}}</ref> It was announced that First Vice President [[Dina Boluarte]], who rejected Castillo's actions, would take her [[oath of office]] for the presidency at 3:00&nbsp;pm [[Time in Peru|PET]].<ref name="El Comercio (Perú)-2022" />

President Castillo then fled the [[Government Palace, Peru|Government Palace]] and contacted [[president of Mexico]] [[Andrés Manuel López Obrador]], raising concerns about [[political asylum]].<ref name="RPP-2022">{{cite web |date=8 December 2022 |title=Presidente de México confirma que Pedro Castillo lo llamó para pedir asilo |url=https://rpp.pe/mundo/actualidad/presidente-de-mexico-confirma-que-pedro-castillo-lo-llamo-para-pedir-asilo-noticia-1452337 |access-date=2022-12-09 |website=[[Grupo RPP|RPP]] |language=es}}</ref> According to President López Obrador, it was likely that Castillo's [[Telephone tapping|phone was tapped]] by Peruvian intelligence, with the Mexican president reporting that Peruvian authorities entered the grounds of the Mexican embassy to prevent Castillo from entering.<ref name="RPP-2022" /> Castillo said that he did not seek to leave Peru and only wanted to drop his family off at the Mexican embassy for their safety. Upon learning that Castillo was seeking to enter the Mexican embassy, the general of the PNP learned that his officers were the drivers for Castillo and ordered them to deliver Castillo to the Prefecture where he would be arrested. Individuals gathered outside the Mexican embassy in Lima to block the area upon rumors that Castillo was attempting to flee to seek asylum in Mexico.<ref>{{cite news |title=Disturbios en los exteriores de la Embajada de México para evitar el posible ingreso de Pedro Castillo |url=https://www.infobae.com/america/peru/2022/12/07/disturbios-en-los-exteriores-de-la-embajada-de-mexico-para-evitar-el-posible-ingreso-de-pedro-castillo/ |access-date=7 December 2022 |website=[[Infobae]] |language=es}}</ref> The PNP officers driving Castillo said that they had to make an emergency detour, later bringing him to the Prefecture where he was greeted by the head of the PNP, who arrested him, ''[[in flagrante delicto]]'', for [[rebellion]].<ref>{{cite news |date=7 December 2022 |title=Pedro Castillo está detenido en la prefectura tras salir de Palacio de Gobierno |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/pedro-castillo/2022/12/07/pedro-castillo-esta-detenido-en-la-region-policial-de-lima-tras-salir-de-palacio-de-gobierno/ |access-date=7 December 2022 |website=[[La República (Peru)|La República]] |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Peru's president detained by security forces- national police tweet |date=7 December 2022 |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/perus-president-detained-by-security-forces-national-police-tweet-2022-12-07/ |access-date=8 December 2022 |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=7 December 2022 |title=Peru's president ousted by Congress in political crisis |url=https://apnews.com/article/peru-caribbean-government-pedro-castillo-62923886f7c53b1dcceb0db84cb09888 |access-date=8 December 2022 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Reuters22">{{cite news |date=8 December 2022 |title=Mexico says it is consulting with Peru over Castillo asylum request |language=en |website=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/mexico-says-it-is-consulting-with-peru-over-castillo-asylum-request-2022-12-08/ |access-date=8 December 2022}}</ref><ref name="MSN">{{cite news |title=Lopez Obrador confirms that Castillo called to request asylum at the Mexican Embassy in Lima |language=en-IN |website=MSN |url=https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/lopez-obrador-confirms-that-castillo-called-to-request-asylum-at-the-mexican-embassy-in-lima/ar-AA153Tro |access-date=8 December 2022}}</ref>

Castillo's vice president [[Dina Boluarte]] entered the [[Legislative Palace (Peru)|Legislative Palace]] shortly after 3:00&nbsp;pm PET and appeared before Congress, where she was later sworn in as president of Peru.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kestler-D'Amours |first=Ali Harb,Jillian |title=Peru's Congress swears in new president after Castillo removed |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2022/12/7/live-news-perus-congress-votes-to-remove-president-castillo |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |language=en}}</ref> Following Castillo's removal, his supporters started [[December 2022 Peruvian protests|nationwide protests]] demanding his release and Boluarte's resignation.

While Castillo was detained, he denounced a "[[Machiavellianism (politics)|Machiavellian]] plan" against him by the National Prosecutor [[Patricia Benavides]], Congress and his former vice president Boluarte.<ref>{{cite web |date=11 December 2022 |title=Pedro Castillo denuncia en una carta "plan maquiavélico" en su contra |url=https://ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/mundo/pedro-castillo-denuncia-en-una-carta-plan-maquiavelico-en-su-contra/ |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=[[Últimas Noticias]] |language=es}}</ref> Some Latin American media organizations linked the events to [[United States Ambassador to Peru]] [[Lisa D. Kenna]], a former member of the [[Central Intelligence Agency]].<ref name="Ultimas Noticias-2022">{{cite web |date=19 December 2022 |title=They denounce US interference in the dismissal of Pedro Castillo |url=https://en.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/mundo/denuncian-injerencia-de-eeuu-en-destitucion-de-pedro-castillo/ |website=[[Ultimas Noticias]]}}</ref><ref name="La Jornada-2022">{{cite web |date=16 December 2022 |title=La Jornada: Se reúnen embajadora de EU y ministro de Defensa antes del golpe |url=https://www.jornada.com.mx/2022/12/16/mundo/026n2mun |access-date=3 January 2023 |website=[[La Jornada]] |language=es-MX}}</ref> Ambassador Kenna had met with Castillo's defense minister, Gustavo Bobbio, the day before the impeachment vote, raising concerns about the United States being involved in the events.<ref name="Ultimas Noticias-2022" /><ref name="La Jornada-2022" /> Local media also reported that the President of Congress and former head of the Peruvian armed forces, [[José Williams]], allegedly collaborated with Ambassador Kenna.<ref name="Ultimas Noticias-2022" />

===Boluarte presidency===
====Protests====
{{main|Peruvian protests (2022–present)}}
[[File:Paro_Nacional_28_de_enero,_Lima_15.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Protesters denouncing the government's use of violence, January 2023]]
Following Castillo's removal, his supporters started [[2022–2023 Peruvian protests|nationwide protests]] demanding his release and Boluarte's resignation.<ref name="BBC News-2022">{{cite news |date=2022-12-13 |title=Peru protests: Roads and airport blocked in anger at new president |language=en-GB |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-63952998 |access-date=2022-12-14 |archive-date=21 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221221153948/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-63952998 |url-status=live}}</ref> On 14 December, the government declared a 30-day state of emergency.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/14/peru-state-emergency-pedro-castillo-protests|title=Peru declares 30-day state of emergency amid protests at president's arrest|work=The Guardian|first=Dan|last=Collyns|date=14 December 2022|access-date=15 December 2022|archive-date=14 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214232309/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/14/peru-state-emergency-pedro-castillo-protests|url-status=live}}</ref> On 16 December, the sixth day of government, the two Ministers of Education and Culture Patricia Correa and Jair Pérez announced their resignation, in opposition to the outbreak of the state of emergency in the country and the numerous deaths during the demonstrations in favor of Pedro Castillo,<ref>{{cite web |date=2022-12-16 |title=Ministros de Educación y Cultura de Perú renuncian a una semana de tomar el cargo |url=https://www.excelsior.com.mx/global/renuncia-la-ministra-de-educacion-de-peru-a-una-semana-de-tomar-el-cargo/1559207?amp |website=excelsior.com.mx |language=es}}.</ref> whose death toll worsened the same day, with 18 dead, confirmed by the Minister of Health Rosa Gutiérrez.<ref>{{cite web |date=2022-12-16 |title=Le bilan monte à 18 morts, 5 000 touristes bloqués |url=https://www.lessentiel.lu/fr/story/le-bilan-monte-a-18-morts-5-000-touristes-bloques-997503981017 |website=lessentiel.lu |language=fr}}.</ref> Protests erupted [[2022–2023 Apurímac insurgency|into violence]] on 11 December near the southern city of [[Andahuaylas]] where demonstrators closed the airport, with police in a helicopter reportedly firing upon protesters, killing two individuals.<ref>{{cite web |last=Merkezi |first=Haber |title=At least two dead in Peru protests against new government |url=https://www.yenisafak.com/en/world/at-least-two-dead-in-peru-protests-against-new-government-3657108 |publisher=Yeni Şafak |language=en-EN |access-date=2022-12-14 |archive-date=14 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214190610/https://www.yenisafak.com/en/world/at-least-two-dead-in-peru-protests-against-new-government-3657108 |url-status=live}}</ref> President Boluarte attempted to appease protests by proposing elections two years early, for April 2024, though Castillo supporters rejected the call while Castillo described such actions as a "dirty game".<ref name="BBC News-2022" /> Congress would reject Boluarte's proposal for early elections.<ref>{{cite web |title=Peru: Ministers resign amid deadly protests |date=16 December 2022 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/peru-ministers-resign-amid-deadly-protests/a-64130368 |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=[[Deutsche Welle]] |language=en |archive-date=16 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221216214518/https://www.dw.com/en/peru-ministers-resign-amid-deadly-protests/a-64130368 |url-status=live}}</ref> However, Congress reconsidered the proposal on 21 December 2022 and allowed the discussion of early elections to begin in 2023.<ref>{{cite web |date=2022-12-20 |title=Peru Congress opens door to early elections amid unrest |url=https://apnews.com/article/politics-peru-pedro-castillo-3728208344ba972f850f0de29e5b5802 |access-date=2022-12-21 |website=AP NEWS |first=David |last=Pereda |language=en |archive-date=21 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221221171024/https://apnews.com/article/politics-peru-pedro-castillo-3728208344ba972f850f0de29e5b5802 |url-status=live}}</ref> Police brutality against protesters led to the [[Juliaca massacre]] on 9 January 2023. Attorney General of Peru [[Patricia Benavides]] announced investigations the following day to determine if Boluarte, Prime Minister [[Alberto Otárola]], Minister of the Interior Víctor Rojas, and Minister of Defense Jorge Chávez committed [[genocide]] and [[Murder|aggravated homicide]].<ref>{{cite web |date=11 January 2023 |title=Fiscalía investigará a Dina Boluarte y a Alberto Otárola por genocidio |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/judiciales/2023/01/11/protestas-en-peru-fiscalia-investigara-a-dina-boluarte-y-a-alberto-otarola-por-genocidio-protestas-en-puno-ministerio-publico/ |access-date=11 January 2023 |website=[[La República (Peru)|La Republica]] |language=es}}</ref> Groups in Congress opposed to Boluarte opened an impeachment motion against her on 25 January, citing moral incapacity.<ref>{{cite web |last=Costilla |first=Kristell |date=26 January 2023 |title=Bancadas de izquierda presentan moción de vacancia contra Dina Boluarte por permanente incapacidad moral |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2023/01/25/congreso-bancadas-de-izquierda-presentan-mocion-de-vacancia-dina-boluarte-permanente-incapacidad-moral-94677 |access-date=29 January 2023 |website=[[La República (Peru)|La Republica]] |language=es}}</ref>

=====Violence=====
{{see also|2022–2023 Apurímac protests}}
Violence during the protests were often concentrated in rural areas, which were considered a stronghold for protests. Many protesters declared themselves in an [[insurgency]],<ref>{{cite news |date=13 December 2022 |title=Decreto de insurgencia |page=10 |agency=Diario Expresión |url=https://www.diarioexpresion.pe/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/INTERIOR_DG_009_2022.pdf |access-date=14 December 2022 |archive-date=14 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214132132/https://www.diarioexpresion.pe/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/INTERIOR_DG_009_2022.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> while the [[rondas campesinas]] led a peaceful campaign of strikes against the government.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/30/journey-through-the-centre-of-peru-uprising-dina-boluarte ‘We'll fight until the end’: a journey through the centre of Peru's uprising]</ref> Both the [[Peruvian Armed Forces]] and the [[Law enforcement in Peru|Peruvian Police]] widely suppressed the protests, often with impunity.
[[File:Tercera Toma de Lima 155.jpg|thumb|Protests against [[Fujimorism]] and the Boluarte administration in July 2023]]
The region of [[Department of Puno|Puno]] was heavily affected during the violence, especially during the [[Juliaca massacre]], where eighteen people were killed by the [[National Police of Peru]].<ref>[https://www.infobae.com/peru/2023/01/24/militarizacion-en-el-sur-reportan-que-contingente-del-ejercito-se-desplaza-de-moquegua-a-puno/ Militarización en el sur: reportan que contingente del Ejército se desplaza de Moquegua a Puno]</ref><ref>[https://peru21.pe/peru/juliaca-manifestantes-intentan-tomar-aeropuerto-juliaca-peru-puno-aeropuerto-policia-manifestaciones-violentas-noticia/ Al menos 16 heridos en enfrentamientos tras intento de toma del aeropuerto de Juliaca | VIDEO]</ref> Puno also suffered directly from [[blockades]], [[looting]], and other types of unrest. [[Department of Apurímac|Apurímac]] also suffered heavily during the unrest. Protests in the city of [[Andahuaylas]] exploded into violence on 11 December 2022 followed by ensuing clashes by the [[Peruvian Army]] and local protesters in the city.<ref>{{cite news |date=13 December 2022 |title=Decreto de insurgencia |page=10 |agency=Diario Expresión |url=https://www.diarioexpresion.pe/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/INTERIOR_DG_009_2022.pdf |access-date=14 December 2022 |archive-date=14 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214132132/https://www.diarioexpresion.pe/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/INTERIOR_DG_009_2022.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[Department of Madre de Dios|Madre de Dios]] region in the southwest was also blockaded by protesters, with the blockade eventually being lifted by the Peruvian Armed Forces. Other clashes and deadly incidents took place in the regions of [[Department of Ica|Ica]], [[Department of Arequipa|Arequipa]], [[Department of Ayacucho|Ayacucho]], and [[Department of Junín|Junín]].<ref>{{cite web |date=15 December 2022 |title=Jornada trágica: a 18 llega el número de fallecidos durante protestas |url=https://ojo-publico.com/ultimas-noticias/4012/jornada-tragica-18-llega-el-numero-fallecidos-durante-protestas |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221216045833/https://ojo-publico.com/ultimas-noticias/4012/jornada-tragica-18-llega-el-numero-fallecidos-durante-protestas |archive-date=16 December 2022 |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=[[Ojo Público]] |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title="Masacre en Ayacucho", ascienden a 18 muertos tras estado de emergencia en Perú |url=https://www.anred.org/2022/12/16/masacre-en-ayacucho-ascienden-a-18-muertos-tras-estado-de-emergencia-en-peru/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221216235348/https://www.anred.org/2022/12/16/masacre-en-ayacucho-ascienden-a-18-muertos-tras-estado-de-emergencia-en-peru/ |archive-date=16 December 2022 |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=ANRed |date=16 December 2022 |language=es-ES}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=9 December 2022 |title=Organizaciones sociales de Ayacucho desconocen a Dina Boluarte y exigen cierre del congreso |url=https://diariocorreo.pe/edicion/ayacucho/organizaciones-sociales-de-ayacucho-desconocen-a-dina-boluarte-y-exigen-cierre-del-congreso-noticia/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212084720/https://diariocorreo.pe/edicion/ayacucho/organizaciones-sociales-de-ayacucho-desconocen-a-dina-boluarte-y-exigen-cierre-del-congreso-noticia/ |archive-date=12 December 2022 |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=Correo |language=es}}</ref><ref>[https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2022/12/13/peru-violent-protests-president-ousted-soares-pkg-es-intl-ldn-vpx.cnn Video shows protesters storming airport runway. See why they're angry]</ref>

====Fujimorists' consolidation of power====

[[Fujimorism]] would ultimately consolidate governmental power into Congress with the assistance of the [[Constitutional Court of Peru]].<ref name="Romero"/><ref name="Ni siquiera topo: apenas tapón"/><ref>{{cite web |last=Cárdenas |first=Abel |date=5 March 2023 |title=Congreso doblega el equilibrio de poderes en medio de la convulsión social en Perú |url=https://ojo-publico.com/4328/congreso-doblega-el-equilibrio-poderes-medio-la-convulsion |access-date=28 March 2023 |website=[[Ojo Público]] |language=es}}</ref> The Constitutional Court would remove judicial oversight of Congress, essentially giving the legislative body absolute control of Peru's government.<ref name="Romero"/><ref name="larepublica.pe"/> The majority of Peruvian institutions, including all branches of government and the media, adopted [[authoritarian]] practices{{Example needed|date=August 2023}} during and after protests. The politicization of the armed forces also raised concerns about a developing [[Military junta|civilian-military government]] in Peru.<ref name="La República-2023a">{{cite web |date=4 January 2023 |title=Perú Libre presentará moción de interpelación contra ministro del Interior |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2023/01/03/marcha-por-la-paz-peru-libre-presentara-mocion-de-interpelacion-contra-ministro-del-interior-victor-rojas-pnp-atmp/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112005354/https://larepublica.pe/politica/2023/01/03/marcha-por-la-paz-peru-libre-presentara-mocion-de-interpelacion-contra-ministro-del-interior-victor-rojas-pnp-atmp/ |archive-date=12 January 2023 |access-date=12 January 2023 |website=[[La República (Peru)|La República]] |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2 January 2023 |title=Daniel Encinas: "Dina Boluarte ha hecho una coalición con fuerzas que no ganaron la elección" |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/actualidad/2023/01/02/pedro-castillo-daniel-encinas-dina-boluarte-ha-hecho-una-coalicion-con-fuerzas-que-no-ganaron-la-eleccion-golpe-de-estado-fuerzas-armadas-adelanto-de-elecciones/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116172824/https://larepublica.pe/politica/actualidad/2023/01/02/pedro-castillo-daniel-encinas-dina-boluarte-ha-hecho-una-coalicion-con-fuerzas-que-no-ganaron-la-eleccion-golpe-de-estado-fuerzas-armadas-adelanto-de-elecciones/ |archive-date=16 January 2023 |access-date=12 January 2023 |website=[[La República (Peru)|La República]] |language=es}}</ref> Congress, with one-third of its members belonging to a [[far-right]] bloc,<ref name="FAR">{{bullet}}{{cite journal |date=11 August 2022 |title=Peru's Castillo will struggle to stay in office |url=https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/OXAN-DB272027/full/html |journal=[[Oxford Analytica]] |series=Emerald Expert Briefings |volume=oxan-db |issue=oxan-db |doi=10.1108/OXAN-DB272027 |quote=The far-right parties in Congress -- Renovacion Popular (Popular Renewal) and Avanza Pais (Forward Country)}}
*{{cite news |last1=Vásquez |first1=Jorge Rendón |date=10 April 2022 |title=Desmanes en las calles: la ultraderecha está jugando con la gasolina... y con el fuego |language=es |work=El Búho |url=https://elbuho.pe/2022/04/desmanes-en-las-calles-la-ultraderecha-esta-jugando-con-la-gasolina-y-con-el-fuego/ |access-date=30 April 2023 |quote=The far right, personified in Congress by 43 representatives of the groups Fuerza Popular, Renovación Popular and Avanza País and some of their center allies}}
*{{cite news |date=2022 |title=Así se movieron los votos en el Congreso para darle la ajustada confianza al gabinete de Aníbal Torres |language=es |work=LaMula |url=https://redaccion.lamula.pe/2022/03/09/asi-se-movieron-los-votos-en-el-congreso-para-darle-la-ajustada-confianza-al-gabinete-de-anibal-torres/lumasap/ |access-date=30 April 2023 |quote=Far-right: Fuerza Popular since then marked its line of voting against all the cabinets that Pedro Castillo names from now on. ... To these votes against were added those of Popular Renewal and Avanza País}}
*{{cite news |date=2 December 2022 |title=Perú: nuevo intento destituyente en contra de Pedro Castillo {{!}} El Congreso aprobó una moción para derrocarlo, la tercera en 16 meses |language=es |work=[[Pagina 12]] |url=https://www.pagina12.com.ar/504082-peru-nuevo-intento-destituyente-contra-pedro-castillo |access-date=17 January 2023 |quote=tres partidos de derecha radical -Fuerza Popular, Renovación Popular y Avanza País}}
*</ref> would reject all attempts of reform, including the advancing of general elections, constitutional proposals and motions to impeach Boluarte.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Aquino |first1=Marco |date=4 April 2023 |title=Peru's Congress votes against impeachment trial for president |newspaper=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/peru-congress-rejects-request-start-impeachment-trial-president-2023-04-04/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=9 March 2023 |title=Consejo de Ministros acordó levantar el estado de emergencia en Lima |url=https://rpp.pe/politica/actualidad/consejo-de-ministros-acordo-levantar-el-estado-de-emergencia-en-lima-noticia-1471560 |access-date=28 May 2023 |website=[[RPP (Peru)|RPP]] |language=es}}</ref> while the [[Supreme Court of Peru]] would further rule on 18 May 2023 that protesting in Peru was illegal and that it was not protected by the constitution.<ref>{{cite web |last=Romero |first=César |date=18 May 2023 |title=Corte Suprema dice que la protesta es un delito y que no está reconocida en la Constitución |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/judiciales/2023/05/16/corte-suprema-dice-que-la-protesta-es-un-delito-y-no-esta-reconocida-en-la-constitucion-1476320 |access-date=29 May 2023 |website=[[La República]] |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Noriega |first=Carlos |date=17 May 2023 |title=Perú: la Corte Suprema prohíbe el derecho a la protesta {{!}} Un paso más en la ofensiva autoritaria |url=https://www.pagina12.com.ar/550438-peru-la-corte-suprema-prohibe-el-derecho-a-la-protesta |access-date=29 May 2023 |website=[[Página 12]] |language=es}}</ref> Calls for future protests in July 2023 were made amidst the controversial verdict of the Supreme Court.<ref>{{cite web |date=28 May 2023 |title=Poder Judicial admitió a trámite habeas corpus contra polémico fallo de la Corte Suprema sobre derecho a la protesta |url=https://rpp.pe/politica/judiciales/poder-judicial-admitio-a-tramite-habeas-corpus-contra-fallo-de-la-corte-suprema-sobre-derecho-a-la-protesta-noticia-1487029 |access-date=29 May 2023 |website=[[RPP (Peru)|RPP]] |language=es}}</ref>

By May 2023, Fujimorists gained control of the [[Peruvian ombudsman|Office of the Public Defender]] and other institutions.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last= |date=2023-05-22 |title=Ni siquiera topo: apenas tapón |url=https://www.idl-reporteros.pe/ni-siquiera-topo-apenas-tapon/ |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=[[IDL-Reporteros]] |language=es}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=21 May 2023 |title=Un defensor del pueblo a la medida de la contrarreforma que impulsa el Congreso |url=https://ojo-publico.com/politica/un-defensor-la-medida-la-contrarreforma-que-impulsa-el-congreso |access-date=2023-05-28 |website=[[Ojo Público]] |language=es}}</ref> In September 2023, Fujimorists in Congress would attempt to restructure the [[National Board of Justice]] (JNJ).<ref name=":LRPC1">{{Cite web |last=Sánchez |first=Diego Quispe |date=2023-09-08 |title=Congreso aprueba golpe contra el sistema de justicia |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/congreso/2023/09/08/congreso-aprueba-golpe-contra-el-sistema-de-justicia-patricia-chirinos-junta-nacional-de-justicia-fujicerronismo-zoraida-avalos-fuerza-popular-peru-libre-520392 |access-date=2023-09-09 |website=[[La República]] |language=es}}</ref><ref name=":LRPC2">{{Cite web |last=Saavedra |first=Narda |date=2023-09-08 |title=Organizaciones internacionales piden aplicar carta democrática al Perú por investigación a la JNJ |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2023/09/08/organizaciones-internacionales-piden-aplicar-carta-democratica-al-peru-por-investigacion-a-la-jnj-210000 |access-date=2023-09-09 |website=[[La República]] |language=es}}</ref> The move was condemned as a "parliamentary coup" by newspaper ''[[La República]]'' and by NGOs like the Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL), Due Process of Law Foundation, Fundación Construir, Fundación para la Justicia y el Estado Democrático de Derecho (FJEDD), [[Human Rights Watch]], the [[International Commission of Jurists]], Observatorio Derechos y Justicia (ODJ), [[Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights]] and the [[Washington Office on Latin America]], with the latter group demanding the application of the [[Inter-American Democratic Charter]].<ref name=":LRPC1" /><ref name=":LRPC2" />

On 30 July, 2024, Boluarte's government was challenged by Peru's top prosecutor office which filed a complaint against Boluarte's government for the murder of 44 protestors during the 2022-2023 protests.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/peru-president-faces-homicide-complaint-183404542.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZWNvc2lhLm9yZy8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAI6BRFhgZvNnFjytjM5TqSvkaKaJIpD1xOJNEAcs5L5WWPMygVItq_2L64ut5MAdfqj06JrIVYO4_LFS66OKTTTbl2w4KaCLiN3SORLDn00RlUPHaf6yNERv_j13US1ItteTtDi5CEKhBApUxbwoIAOgD7wk3mN2hLEfUhMQLvRp | title=Peru's President Faces Homicide Complaint over 44 Protest Deaths | date=30 July 2024 }}</ref> On 12 August 2024, Peru passed a bill which prevented the prosecution of crimes against humanity committed by government between 1980 and 2000, in what was seen as a bill which would benefit former dictator Alberto Fujimori who was in power between 1990 and 2000 and planned to stand in the 2026 elections, though he would later die a month later after the bill was passed.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.democracynow.org/2024/8/12/headlines/peru_passes_bill_barring_prosecution_of_crimes_against_humanity_committed_during_1980_2000_conflict | title=Peru Passes Bill Barring Prosecution of Crimes Against Humanity Committed During 1980-2000 Conflict | website=[[Democracy Now!]] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Author |first=No |date=2024-07-15 |title=Alberto Fujimori to stand in 2026 Peru elections, his daughter says |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/07/15/world/politics/alberto-fujimori-2026-peru-elections/ |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=The Japan Times |language=en}}</ref>

==Effects==
===Economic===
During the 2023 unrest, the main economic sectors of the Peruvian economy largely ceased during the protests.<ref name="Garcia-2023">{{Cite news |last1=Garcia |first1=David Alire |last2=O'Boyle |first2=Brendan |date=31 January 2023 |title=Explainer: Why are there protests in Peru and what comes next? |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/why-are-there-protests-peru-what-comes-next-2023-01-31/ |access-date=2023-01-31}}</ref> Three weeks into protests, the National Chamber of Tourism (Canatur) reported that due to protests, Peru had lost an estimated 1.7&nbsp;billion [[Peruvian sol|soles]]($450&nbsp;million USD) of tourism income since the start of the demonstrations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=GrupoRPP |date=30 December 2022 |title=Sector turismo perdió S/1 700 millones debido a las protestas sociales, según Canatur |url=https://rpp.pe/economia/economia/sector-turismo-perdio-s-1-700-millones-debido-a-las-protestas-sociales-segun-canatur-noticia-1457073 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221231050450/https://rpp.pe/economia/economia/sector-turismo-perdio-s-1-700-millones-debido-a-las-protestas-sociales-segun-canatur-noticia-1457073 |archive-date=31 December 2022 |access-date=2022-12-31 |website=RPP |language=es}}</ref> A month into protests, some stores in Lima were reporting a 60% decrease in sales compared to the previous year.<ref name="La Republica-2023i">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=16 January 2023 |title=Paro Nacional: manifestantes del sur emprenden viaje a Lima para sumarse a protestas |url=https://larepublica.pe/sociedad/2023/01/15/paro-nacional-en-vivo-estado-de-emergencia-bloqueo-de-vias-y-protestas-en-el-peru-hoy-dina-boluarte-adelanto-de-elecciones/ |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=[[La República (Peru)|La Republica]] |language=es}}</ref> According to the Boluarte government, Peru experienced $1.3&nbsp;billion of infrastructure damage from protests by late January.<ref name="Garcia-2023" /> On 31 January 2023, [[Moody's Investors Service]] changed Peru's credit rating outlook to "Negative", citing "a deterioration in institutional cohesion, governability, policy effectiveness and economic strength through successive governments".<ref>{{cite news |date=31 January 2023 |title=Moody's affirms Peru rating but unrest triggers negative outlook |agency=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/moodys-affirms-peru-rating-but-unrest-triggers-negative-outlook |access-date=1 February 2023}}</ref> In August 2023, it was announced that the country had entered a [[recession]].

===Foreign Policy===
[[File:Castillo Boluarte recognition map.svg|thumb|250px|Nations recognizing presidential governments<br>{{color box|#FF0000}} [[Pedro Castillo]]<br>{{color box|#FF6600}} [[Dina Boluarte]]]]
During the 2020 protests, both [[El Salvador]] and [[Venezuela]] refused to recognize the legitimacy of Manuel Merino's government,<ref>{{cite news |title=Crisis en Perú: Nicolás Maduro hizo un chiste y dijo que si quieren manda a Juan Guaidó para que se autoproclame presidente |trans-title= Crisis in Peru: Nicolás Maduro made a joke and said that if they want to, he'd send Juan Guaidó to proclaim himself president|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/el-mundo/crisis-peru-presidente-martin-vizcarra-manuel-merino-nid2511402 |access-date=16 November 2020 |work=[[La Nacion]] |date=16 November 2020|language=es}}</ref> with Salvadoran President [[Nayib Bukele]] calling it a "government of coup plotters".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-15|title=Presidente de El Salvador: "No reconocemos al Gobierno golpista de Merino"|trans-title=El Salvador President: "We do not recognize the Merino's coup plotter government |url=https://larepublica.pe/mundo/2020/11/15/presidente-de-el-salvador-no-reconocemos-al-gobierno-golpista-de-merino/|access-date=2020-11-15|website=La Republica|language=es-PE}}</ref>

After Castillo's removal from power, a new shakeup occurred in regards to Peru's foreign relations after [[Mexico]] said that it would continue to recognize Castillo as Peru's president.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hilaire|first1=Valentine|last2=Aquino|first2=Marco|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/mexican-president-says-perus-castillo-should-not-have-been-removed-2022-12-13/|title=After Mexico president backs Peru's Castillo, Boluarte to call leaders|work=Reuters|date=2022-12-14|access-date=2022-12-14|archive-date=14 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214081245/https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/mexican-president-says-perus-castillo-should-not-have-been-removed-2022-12-13/|url-status=live}}</ref> Other countries, including [[Colombia]], [[Venezuela]], [[Honduras]], [[Argentina]], and [[Cuba]], recognized Castillo as the legitimate president of Peru following the events of the [[2022 Peruvian political crisis|constitutional crisis]].<ref>{{cite web |date=13 December 2022 |title=After Mexico president backs Peru's Castillo, Boluarte to call leaders |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/mexican-president-says-perus-castillo-should-not-have-been-removed-2022-12-13/ |access-date=2 March 2023 |website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=12 December 2022 |title=Colombia, Argentina, México y Bolivia, a favor de Castillo |url=https://apnews.com/article/noticias-c4152daee74d1e733412ee70386c48a1 |access-date=2 March 2023 |website=[[Associated Press]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=26 January 2023 |title=Peru recalls ambassador to Honduras for 'unacceptable interference' as diplomatic spat deepens |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/peru-recalls-ambassador-honduras-unacceptable-interference-diplomatic-spat-2023-01-26/ |access-date=2 March 2023}}</ref> Following unrest, relations with the United States would also sour following a letter from 15 members of the [[United States Congress]] that criticized the Peruvian government and the Congress of the Republic due to their undemocratic nominations of the Constitutional Court and the Ombudsman Office.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vega |first=Renzo Gómez |date=2023-07-29 |title=US Democrats pressure President Dina Boluarte over Peru's human rights violations |url=https://english.elpais.com/international/2023-07-29/us-democrats-pressure-president-dina-boluarte-over-perus-human-rights-violations.html |access-date=2023-07-30 |website=[[El País]] |language=en-us}}</ref> Throughout 2023, [[United States]] [[President of the united States|President]] [[Joe Biden]] would also be criticized due to his support for the Boluarte government.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vasquez |first=Laura |date=2023-08-01 |title=Boluarte recibe respaldo de Biden pese a que congresistas denunciaron vulneración de derechos en protestas |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/actualidad/2023/08/01/dina-boluarte-recibe-respaldo-de-joe-biden-pese-a-que-congresistas-denunciaron-vulneracion-de-derechos-en-protestas-marchas-cidh-estados-unidos-eeu-noticia-65561 |access-date=2023-08-02 |website=[[La República]] |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Paucar |first=Luis |date=2 August 2023 |title=Joe Biden ratifica respaldo a Dina Boluarte: "Espero con interés continuar nuestra colaboración" |url=https://www.infobae.com/peru/2023/08/02/joe-biden-ratifica-respaldo-a-dina-boluarte-espero-con-interes-continuar-nuestra-colaboracion/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |website=[[infobae]] |language=es-ES}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-12-08 |title=U.S. says welcomes appointment of Boluarte as Peru's President |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/us-says-welcomes-appointment-boluarte-perus-president-2022-12-08/ |access-date=2023-11-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Chávez |first=Aída |date=2023-08-16 |title=Peruvians Are Protesting Their Unelected President |language=en-US |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/world/peru-dina-boluarte/ |access-date=2023-11-07 |issn=0027-8378}}</ref> Relations with Spain and Brazil soured as well following a rejection of arms sales due to violence.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Magallanes |first=Daniela |date=2023-05-29 |title=Gobierno de Lula dejará de venderle armas al Perú de Dina Boluarte por la inestabilidad política |url=https://larepublica.pe/mundo/2023/05/28/gobierno-de-lula-decide-suspender-venta-de-armas-a-peru-dina-boluarte-debido-a-la-inestabilidad-politica-noticia-venta-de-armas-brasil-video-2145276 |access-date=2023-05-29 |website=[[La República]] |language=es}}</ref>

===Democratic backsliding and corruption===
{{see also|Democratic backsliding by country#Peru|Corruption in Peru}}
Since the turmoil began, Peru has undergone significant [[democratic backsliding]] during the presidencies of [[Manuel Merino]],<ref name="The Wire"/><ref name="Delfino"/> [[Pedro Castillo]],<ref name="Peru's Democracy Is Dying"/><ref name="washingtonpost.com"/> and [[Dina Boluarte]],<ref name="AUTHOR">
{{bullet}}{{Cite news |last=Franco |first=Marina E. |date=24 January 2023 |title=Peru's protest crackdown could lead to authoritarianism, experts say |work=[[Axios (website)|Axios]] |url=https://www.axios.com/2023/01/24/perus-protest-government-dina-boularte}}
*{{Cite web |last=Tegel |first=Simeon |date=2023-03-27 |title=Peru's First Female President Has Blood on Her Hands |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/03/27/perus-first-female-president-has-blood-on-her-hands/ |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=[[Foreign Policy]] |quote=[Boluarte's] legacy, to the extent she has one, will remain inseparable from that of her predecessor. This is not only a matter of the authoritarian excesses of her leadership over security forces, but also her emphasis on social conservatism}}
*{{Cite web |date=2023-03-14 |title=Peru's democracy is under threat |url=https://www.ips-journal.eu/topics/democracy-and-society/perus-democracy-is-under-threat-6575/?dicbo=v4-8sW1IjI-1078272479 |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=International Politics and Society|quote=In the region itself, there has also been fierce criticism of the authoritarian style of Dina Boluarte and her government.}}
*{{Cite web |date=26 April 2023 |title=Crackdown on protests worsens erosion of Peru's democracy |url=https://country.eiu.com/Peru/ArticleList/Analysis/Politics |website=[[Economist Intelligence Unit]] |quote=the authorities deployed strong-arm tactics to quell demonstrations, including deadly force, arbitrary arrests, intimidation and the stigmatisation of demonstrators as terrorists or criminals in official discourse. As a result, we expect political instability to return, and we highlight the risk that these developments have set the scene for a move towards an authoritarian government reminiscent of that led by Alberto Fujimori in the 1990s}}
*{{Cite news |date=2023-01-10 |title=In Peru, protests resume against the backdrop of the Boluarte regime's 'authoritarian drift'  |work=[[Le Monde]] |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2023/01/10/in-peru-protests-resume-against-the-backdrop-of-the-boluarte-regime-s-authoritarian-drift_6011015_4.html |access-date=2023-06-06}}
*{{Cite web |date=4 April 2023 |title=The Authoritarian Behind Peru's Massacring of Protesters |url=https://jacobin.com/2023/04/peru-protest-repression-alberto-otarola-dina-boluarte |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=[[Jacobin (magazine)|Jacobin]] }}
*{{cite news |title=Carmen Ilizarbe: 'The Boluarte government can never have social legitimacy' |url=https://global.ilmanifesto.it/carmen-ilizarbe-the-boluarte-government-can-never-have-social-legitimacy/ |access-date=6 June 2023 |work=[[il manifesto]] |date=10 April 2023 |quote=the government seems to have decidedly embarked on an authoritarian path}}
*{{Cite web |last=Noriega |first=Carlos |date=2023-03-19 |title=Perú: la presidencia de Dina Boluarte cumple cien días {{!}} Una gestión marcada por la represión racista, la restauración conservadora y la persecución política |url=https://www.pagina12.com.ar/532969-peru-la-presidencia-de-dina-boluarte-cumple-cien-dias |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=[[Pagina 12]] |language=es}}
</ref> with those governments often being described as [[authoritarian]] and [[corruption|corrupt]]. Even during the presidencies of [[Pedro Pablo Kuczynski]], [[Martín Vizcarra]], and [[Francisco Sagasti]], Peru was seen as a backsliding democracy due to the obstructionist efforts of the [[Congress of the Republic of Peru|Congress of the Republic]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=In Peru, Opposition to Democratic Backsliding Is Growing. Without Leaders, it Might Not Get Far. |url=https://www.cfr.org/blog/peru-opposition-democratic-backsliding-growing-without-leaders-it-might-not-get-far |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=Council on Foreign Relations |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Publicidad_política_de_fuerza_popular_2021_(cropped).jpg|thumb|left|A billboard during the 2021 general elections supporting Fujimorism and Fujimori's fearmongering campaign]]
During the presidency of Kuczynski, Congress's obstructionist efforts and corruption scandals plagued his public image and was evident as seen following the [[Pardon of Alberto Fujimori]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/cidh-revocar-indulto-alberto-fujimori-febrero-223492|title=CIDH podría revocar indulto de Alberto Fujimori en febrero|trans-title=IACHR could revoke Alberto Fujimori's pardon in February|publisher=Gestión|language=es|date=25 December 2017|accessdate=27 December 2017}}</ref> Kuczynski was also under investigation due to his links to the [[Operation Car Wash|Odebrecht scandal]] and other [[Offshore financial centre|offshore monetary affairs]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Fowks|first=Jacqueline|date=2018-03-25|title=La justicia peruana registra dos casas del expresidente Kuczynski y le prohíbe la salida del país|language=es|work=El País|url=https://elpais.com/internacional/2018/03/24/actualidad/1521919329_268256.html|access-date=2021-05-12|issn=1134-6582}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/ppk-envio-escrito-descargos-comision-lava-jato-noticia-468428|title=PPK envió por escrito respuestas a la Comisión Lava Jato|last=Olivera|first=Gino Alva|date=25 October 2017|website=El Comercio|language=es|access-date=10 February 2019}}</ref> Corruption within the state continued following Fujimori's pardon, and following Kuczynski's second impeachment attempt, he would resign following a vote buying scandal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://diariocorreo.pe/politica/junta-de-portavoces-aceptar-renuncia-de-ppk-809304/|title=Congreso de la República debatió la renuncia de Pedro Pablo Kuczynski|date=23 March 2018|website=Diario Correo|language=es|access-date=10 February 2019}}</ref> As a result, his successor Martín Vizcarra would lead an anti-corruption campaign, which was heavily obstructed by Congress.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-peru-vizcarra/peru-president-proposes-referendum-on-political-judicial-reform-idUSKBN1KI0LV|title=Peru president proposes referendum on political, judicial reform|last=Taj|first=Mitra|work=[[Reuters]]|access-date=17 August 2018|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Peru's Reformer President Undermines Democratic Norms |url=https://www.democratic-erosion.com/2020/03/01/perus-reformer-president-undermines-democratic-norms/ |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=www.democratic-erosion.com |date=March 2020 |language=en-US}}</ref> However, it would be revealed in 2020 that Vizcarra himself had been implicated in several corruption scandals during his early political career, which would result in his removal. The ascension of Merino to the presidency was controversial, as it was believed Vizcarra's impeachment was done for political favors. Merino would go on and form a right-wing government and would repress [[2020 Peruvian protests|protests]] harshly, after which he would resign under pressure. Merino was criticized even more after he left office due to the apparent use of [[police brutality]] during the unrest.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rpp.pe/politica/actualidad/defensoria-del-pueblo-exigio-a-la-policia-no-hacer-uso-desproporcionado-de-la-fuerza-en-las-marchas-contra-la-vacancia-presidencial-noticia-1303415 |title=Defensoría del Pueblo exigió a la Policía no hacer uso desproporcionado de la fuerza en las marchas contra la vacancia presidencial |trans-title=Ombudsman's Office demanded that the Police not use disproportionate force in the marches against the presidential vacancy |publisher=RPP Noticias |location=Lima |date=9 November 2020 |access-date=12 November 2020 |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://larepublica.pe/sociedad/2020/11/11/unmsm-emite-comunicado-sobre-actual-crisis-politica-y-reforma-universitaria/|title=UNMSM se pronuncia ante crisis política y pide priorizar la salud pública |trans-title=UNMSM speaks out in the face of political crisis and asks to prioritize public health |publisher=La República |date=11 November 2020 |access-date=12 November 2020 |language=es}}</ref> 
<gallery mode="packed" caption="'''Former presidents that have been subject to corruption investigations'''">
File:Al_Fujimori.jpg|[[Alberto Fujimori]] <br />(1990-2000)<br /><small>[[Alberto Fujimori's arrest and trial|Extradited and convicted]]</small>
File:Alejandro Toledo (8682).jpg|[[Alejandro Toledo]] <br />(2001-2006)<br /><small>Extradited</small><ref>{{cite web| publisher=Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project |url=https://www.occrp.org/en/27-ccwatch/cc-watch-briefs/10237-ex-peru-president-accused-of-corruption-arrested-in-california |title=Ex-Peru President Accused of Corruption Arrested in California |author=Maya Perry |date=18 July 2019}}</ref>
File:Alan García presidente del Perú.jpg|[[Alan García]] (d. 2019) <br />(1985-1990, 2006-2011)<br /><small>Under investigation until his suicide</small><ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-47965867 "Alan García: Peru's former president kills himself ahead of arrest", ''BBC'', 17 April 2019. Retrieved 31 May 2019.]</ref> 
File:Ollanta_Humala_Tasso.jpg|[[Ollanta Humala]] <br />(2011-2016)<br /><small>Convicted</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/world/mexico-americas/la-fg-peru-humala-20170714-story.html|title=Another former Peruvian president is sent to jail, this time as part of growing corruption scandal|first=Adriana Leon and Patrick J.|last=McDonnell|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=14 July 2017|access-date=23 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-peru-corruption-humala/perus-ex-presidents-humala-and-fujimori-old-foes-share-prison-idUSKBN1A0005|title=Peru's ex-presidents Humala and Fujimori, old foes, share prison|date=14 July 2017|work=[[Reuters]]|access-date=18 December 2017}}</ref>
File:Pedro Pablo Kuczynski 2016 (cropped).jpg|[[Pedro Pablo Kuczynski]] <br />(2016-2018)<br /><small>Under investigation</small><ref>{{Cite news|last=Fowks|first=Jacqueline|date=2018-03-25|title=La justicia peruana registra dos casas del expresidente Kuczynski y le prohíbe la salida del país|language=es|work=El País|url=https://elpais.com/internacional/2018/03/24/actualidad/1521919329_268256.html|access-date=2021-05-12|issn=1134-6582}}</ref>
File:Martín_Vizcarra_Cornejo_(cropped)_(cropped).png|[[Martín Vizcarra]] <br />(2018-2020)<br /><small>Banned from public office</small><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rpp.pe/politica/congreso/martin-vizcarra-upp-alcanza-firmas-para-presentar-mocion-de-vacancia-presidencial-noticia-1299692 |title=Presentan nueva moción de vacancia contra el Presidente de la República |trans-title=They present a new vacancy motion against the President of the Republic |publisher=RPP Noticias |first=Diego |last=Ayma |date=20 October 2020 |access-date=11 November 2020 |language=es}}</ref>
File:Pedro_Castillo_portrait.png|[[Pedro Castillo]] <br />(2021-2022)<br /><small>Convicted</small><ref>{{cite web | url= https://en.mercopress.com/2022/07/23/peru-case-against-castillo-reopened-despite-immunity | title=Peru: Case against Castillo reopened despite immunity|work= MercoPress|date=23 July 2022|access-date=23 September 2022}}</ref>
File:Dina_Boluarte_portrait.jpg|[[Dina Boluarte]] <br />(2022–present)<br /><small>Under investigation</small>
</gallery>
During the [[2021 Peruvian general election]], [[Keiko Fujimori]]'s campaign was criticized for being [[Criticism of democracy|antidemocratic]] and launching a [[smear campaign]] against eventual winner [[Pedro Castillo]], using [[racism]] and the [[terruqueo]] to damage his reputation.<ref name="Public Radio International"/>{{sfn|Asensio|Camacho|González|Grompone|2021|pp=27–71}}<ref name="The Guardian-2021"/><ref name="RPP-2019" /><ref name="The Washington Post" /> Following Castillo's victory against her, Fujimori and her allies would attempt to overturn the election by making unverified claims of [[electoral fraud]].<ref name="Collyns-2021"/><ref name="Swissinfo-2021"/><ref name="France 24-2021"/> Fujimori also came under controversy after it was revealed that former [[National Intelligence Service (Peru)|SIN]] leader [[Vladimiro Montesinos]], who is imprisoned, was involved in the campaign to overturn the election.<ref name="gestion.pe"/> On 19 July, following Fujimroi's concession, the [[National Office of Electoral Processes]] confirmed Castillo's victory. However, Castillo's presidency was marred with [[:es:Corrupción en el gobierno de Pedro Castillo|corruption scandals]] and several probes were launched against him. Congress also heavily obstructed much of his actions, specifically done by the [[far-right politics|far-right]] bloc led by [[Popular Force]], [[Popular Renewal]], and [[Advance Country]]. Castillo's actions were also seen as undemocratic following [[2022 Peruvian economic protests|protests]] against his administration.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 April 2022 |title=Peru's President Castillo lifts Lima lockdown amid criticism |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/5/peru-pm-says-lockdown-could-be-extended-beyond-capital |access-date=6 April 2022 |website=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |language=en |archive-date=5 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405232149/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/5/peru-pm-says-lockdown-could-be-extended-beyond-capital |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=4 April 2022 |title=Merino a Castillo: "Necesitamos solución, basta de populismo" |url=https://www.expreso.com.pe/politica/merino-a-castillo-necesitamos-solucion-basta-de-populismo/ |access-date=6 April 2022 |website=Expreso |language=es |archive-date=6 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406042124/https://www.expreso.com.pe/politica/merino-a-castillo-necesitamos-solucion-basta-de-populismo/ |url-status=live }}</ref> His undemocratic actions continued during his [[Third impeachment and removal of Pedro Castillo|third impeachment process]], in which he [[2022 Peruvian self-coup attempt|executed a self-coup]], which was criticized domestically and internationally as antidemocratic and authoritarian, which led to his removal.

Dina Boluarte's presidency was seen as authoritarian following heavy repression of unrest.<ref name="AUTHOR"/> [[Fujimorism|Fujimorist]]s began to pack government institutions through sham nominations into the [[Constitutional Court of Peru|Constitutional Court]] and the [[Peruvian ombudsman|Ombudsman office]]. Other governmental institutions like the [[Supreme Court of Peru|Supreme Court]] also showed bias towards the Boluarte administration, specifically after the ban on protests in May 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Palacios |first=Pamela |date=2023-07-12 |title=Proyecto del Gobierno vulnera el derecho a la protesta, advierten analistas |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/gobierno/2023/07/12/toma-de-lima-proyecto-del-gobierno-vulnera-el-derecho-a-la-protesta-advierten-analistas-protestas-19-de-julio-dina-boluarte-protestas-en-peru-627684 |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=[[La República]] |language=es}}</ref>

====Media censorship====
{{main|Mass media in Peru}}
During the 2021 general election, major media outlets were accused of outright support for [[Keiko Fujimori]]'s campaign and her fear mongering campaign against Pedro Castillo.{{sfn|Asensio|Camacho|González|Grompone|2021|pp=64–65}}<ref>{{cite web|date=28 June 2021|title=Peru's Fujimori loses allies as bid to flip election result falters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/perus-fujimori-loses-allies-bid-flip-election-result-falters-2021-06-28/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701225202/https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/perus-fujimori-loses-allies-bid-flip-election-result-falters-2021-06-28/|first=Marco|last=Aquino|archive-date=1 July 2021|access-date=1 July 2021|website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=19 May 2021|title=Dismissal of news director of Peru's main television stations worsens credibility crisis in the press during polarized elections|url=https://latamjournalismreview.org/articles/dismissal-of-journalistic-director-of-perus-main-television-station-worsens-credibility-crisis-in-the-press-during-polarized-elections/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605222040/https://latamjournalismreview.org/articles/dismissal-of-journalistic-director-of-perus-main-television-station-worsens-credibility-crisis-in-the-press-during-polarized-elections/|archive-date=5 June 2021|access-date=5 June 2021|website=[[Knight Center for Specialized Journalism]]|language=en}}</ref>

The National Association of Journalists indicated that 21 journalists were victims of aggression between 7 and 11 December.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=11 December 2022 |title=ANP registró ataques contra 21 periodistas desde que se iniciaron las protestas |url=https://www.infobae.com/america/peru/2022/12/11/asociacion-nacional-de-periodistas-del-peru-registro-ataques-contra-21-periodistas-desde-que-se-iniciaron-las-protestas/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211232214/https://www.infobae.com/america/peru/2022/12/11/asociacion-nacional-de-periodistas-del-peru-registro-ataques-contra-21-periodistas-desde-que-se-iniciaron-las-protestas/ |archive-date=11 December 2022 |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=infobae |language=es-ES}}</ref> Journalists interviewed by [[Wayka]] reported that authorities would frequently attack press workers and would attempt to prevent photographers from capturing images of individuals being detained. Similar incidents of authorities preventing journalists from documenting the protests were collected by [[OjoPúblico]]. One photojournalist for the EFE, Aldair Mejía reported that he was threatened by police during a protest in [[Juliaca]], saying that an officer told him "I'll blow off your head and you get out of here dead"; Mejía was later shot in the leg by police while covering protests.

The media in Peru was also criticized for overlooking the massacres at [[Ayacucho massacre|Ayacucho]] and [[Juliaca massacre|Juliaca]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 December 2022 |title=Y la masacre en Ayacucho? |url=https://twitter.com/waykaperu/status/1603814345884024839 |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=[[Wayka]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=BQ |date=16 December 2022 |title=Cerca de 300 escritores e intelectuales indígenas se pronuncian contra represión policial, terruqueo y violación de derechos humanos |url=https://wayka.pe/cerca-de-300-escritores-e-intelectuales-indigenas-se-pronuncian-contra-represion-policial-terruqueo-y-violacion-de-derechos-humanos/ |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=[[Wayka]] |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Vega |first=Renzo Gómez |date=9 January 2023 |title=Dieciocho muertos en el mismo día en enfrentamientos entre manifestantes y la policía en Perú |url=https://elpais.com/internacional/2023-01-09/nueve-muertos-mas-en-enfrentamientos-entre-manifestantes-y-la-policia-en-peru.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110063958/https://elpais.com/internacional/2023-01-09/nueve-muertos-mas-en-enfrentamientos-entre-manifestantes-y-la-policia-en-peru.html |archive-date=10 January 2023 |access-date=2023-01-10 |website=[[El País]] |language=es}}</ref>

{{external media|width=300px|video1={{YouTube|id=n2ZOSKqhnck|title=A video showing police shooting a protester in the head with a tear gas canister, medical volunteers providing aid and the testimony of one of the responders}}}}Following the death of a protester on 28 January 2023, journalist Carlos Cornejo of the state-owned [[TV Perú]] reported to audiences, stating "It's good news that the roads have been opened. Some bad news: the murder of a citizen at the hands of the police. ... They will want to tell us that it was a stone, they will want to tell us that it was not them, they will want to say anything, but the images do not lie: we all saw that the police killed Victor Santisteban".<ref name="La Republica-2023g">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=31 January 2023 |title=Carlos Cornejo sobre muerte de Víctor Santisteban: "Querrán decirnos que fue una piedra, pero las imágenes no mienten" |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/actualidad/2023/01/31/carlos-cornejo-muerte-de-victor-santisteban-querran-decirnos-que-fue-piedra-pero-las-imagenes-no-mienten-31720 |access-date=2023-02-03 |website=[[La República (Peru)|La Republica]] |language=es}}</ref> The government would attempt to deny that police killed the protester. Despite two videos showing the protester being shot in the head with a tear gas canister, General Victor Zanabria of the Peruvian National Police said it was "not yet determined" what killed the protester.<ref name="Saavedra-2023">{{Cite web |last=Saavedra |first=Narda |title=Marcha en Lima EN VIVO: manifestantes marchan hacia la plaza San Martín |url=https://larepublica.pe/sociedad/2023/02/01/marcha-en-lima-en-vivo-paro-nacional-protestas-en-regiones-ultimo-minuto-de-hoy-2-de-febrero-de-2023-carreteras-bloqueadas-mtc-sutran-ultimas-noticias-en-directo-dina-bolarte-congreso-adelanto-de-elecciones-41245 |access-date=2023-02-03 |website=[[La República (Peru)|La Republica]] |language=es}}</ref> Following Cornejo's report on the death of the protester, the National Institute of Radio and Television of Peru (IRTP), the parent company of TV Perú, refused to renew the reporter's contract on 31 January.<ref name="La Republica-2023g" /><ref name="La Republica-2023h">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=31 January 2023 |title=ANP califica de "despido incausado" salida de Carlos Cornejo de TV Perú |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/actualidad/2023/01/31/carlos-cornejo-asociacion-nacional-de-periodistas-califica-de-despido-incausado-salida-de-periodista-de-tv-peru-2690304 |access-date=2023-02-03 |website=[[La República (Peru)|La Republica]] |language=es}}</ref> According to the National Association of Journalists of Peru (ANP), the actions against Cornejo were "an indicted and arbitrary dismissal", stating "In circumstances in which, from all media, and essentially state media, it is imperative to guarantee a plurality of approaches and voices to promote public debate. Extinguishing critical positions can even constitute censorship".<ref name="La Republica-2023h" />

====Violence and Human Rights concerns====
{{further|Peruvian protests (2022–2023)#State violence towards protesters|2020 Peruvian protests#Protest violence}}
{{see also|La Resistencia Dios, Patria y Familia}}
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Violence in Peru during the political crisis has risen, specifically during the presidencies of [[Pedro Castillo]] and [[Dina Boluarte]] as their respective governments battled unrest against them.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Peru: Ministers resign amid deadly protests – DW – 12/16/2022 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/peru-ministers-resign-amid-deadly-protests/a-64130368 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221216214518/https://www.dw.com/en/peru-ministers-resign-amid-deadly-protests/a-64130368 |archive-date=16 December 2022 |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=[[Deutsche Welle]] |language=en}}</ref>

The [[Government of Peru|Peruvian government]] has had a history of [[human right]]s abuses during [[Operation Condor]] and the [[internal Conflict in Peru]], led mostly by [[Francisco Morales Bermúdez]] and [[Alberto Fujimori]], respectively. Within those periods, [[fear mongering]] in the media was high, as were [[enforced disappearance]]s, [[Extrajudicial killing|extrajudicial executions]], and [[massacre]]s. The [[Peruvian Armed Forces]] have a history of [[impunity]]; between 2003 and 2020, the armed forces were responsible for 167 deaths, while the perpetrators received little to no consequences for their actions.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=26 December 2022 |title=Crisis en Perú: Fuerzas Armadas causaron 167 muertes durante protestas realizadas entre 2003 y 2020 |url=https://www.infobae.com/america/peru/2022/12/26/crisis-en-peru-fuerzas-armadas-causaron-167-muertes-durante-protestas-realizadas-entre-2003-y-2020/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109171035/https://www.infobae.com/america/peru/2022/12/26/crisis-en-peru-fuerzas-armadas-causaron-167-muertes-durante-protestas-realizadas-entre-2003-y-2020/ |archive-date=9 January 2023 |access-date=2022-12-28 |website=infobae |language=es-ES}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=14 December 2022 |title=Perú declara estado de emergencia nacional y descarta toque de queda por protestas |url=https://www.france24.com/es/am%C3%A9rica-latina/20221214-per%C3%BA-declara-el-estado-de-emergencia-en-todo-el-pa%C3%ADs-en-medio-de-la-agitaci%C3%B3n-pol%C3%ADtica |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215030310/https://www.france24.com/es/am%C3%A9rica-latina/20221214-per%C3%BA-declara-el-estado-de-emergencia-en-todo-el-pa%C3%ADs-en-medio-de-la-agitaci%C3%B3n-pol%C3%ADtica |archive-date=15 December 2022 |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=[[France 24]]}}</ref><ref name="OjoPúblico-2022">{{Cite web |last= |date=15 December 2022 |title=Jornada trágica: a 18 llega el número de fallecidos durante protestas |url=https://ojo-publico.com/ultimas-noticias/4012/jornada-tragica-18-llega-el-numero-fallecidos-durante-protestas |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=[[OjoPúblico]] |language=es |archive-date=16 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221216045833/https://ojo-publico.com/ultimas-noticias/4012/jornada-tragica-18-llega-el-numero-fallecidos-durante-protestas |url-status=live }}</ref> The government first participated in protest violence during the [[2020 Peruvian protests]], in which 2 deaths were reported.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/legislature-peru-552e5bf1a22db0d3f0ab01f21148242c |title=Peru president's ouster sparks wave of youth-led protests |website=[[Associated Press]] |first=Franklin |last=Briceño |date=14 November 2020 |access-date=15 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://peru.un.org/es/100615-onu-peru-manifiesta-preocupacion-sobre-eventos-ocurridos-durante-las-protestas |title=ONU Perú manifiesta preocupación sobre eventos ocurridos durante las protestas {{!}} Naciones Unidas en Perú |trans-title=UN Peru expresses concern about events that occurred during the protests {{!}} United Nations in Peru |website=[[United Nations|United Nations Peru]] |access-date=14 November 2020 |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rpp.pe/peru/actualidad/junta-de-portavoces-se-reune-para-evaluar-renuncia-de-manuel-merino-tras-las-muertes-de-dos-jovenes-en-la-marcha-nacional-live-708 |title=Junta de Portavoces se reúne para evaluar renuncia de Manuel Merino tras las muertes de dos jóvenes en la Marcha Nacional {{!}} Ántero Flores-Aráoz {{!}} Congreso de la República {{!}} Vacancia presidencial |trans-title=Board of Spokespersons meets to evaluate the resignation of Manuel Merino after the deaths of two young people in the National March {{!}} Ántero Flores-Aráoz {{!}} Congress of the Republic {{!}} Presidential vacancy |website=RPP |date=15 November 2020 |access-date=15 November 2020 |language=es}}</ref> Reports of [[police brutality]] and [[political repression]] were widely reported to the media, and ultimately stopped after [[President of Peru|President]] [[Manuel Merino]] resigned. Reports of violence came to light again during the [[2021 Peruvian general election|2021 general election]], in which members of the [[Neo-fascism|neofascist]] [[La Resistencia Dios, Patria y Familia]] clashed with members of the [[Far-left politics|far-left]] [[Free Peru]]. La Resistencia also attempted a [[January 6 United States Capitol attack|January 6]]-type attack on the [[Government Palace, Peru|Government Palace]], which was repelled by police.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-15 |title=Seguidores de Keiko Fujimori marchan a Palacio y atacan el coche de dos ministros con ellos dentro |url=https://www.elmundo.es/internacional/2021/07/15/60efa2aefdddffd0aa8b45db.html |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=[[El Mundo (Spain)|El Mundo]] |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=PERU21 |first=NOTICIAS |date=2021-07-18 |title=La Resistencia: la radiografía de un grupo violento {{!}} POLITICA |url=https://peru21.pe/politica/la-resistencia-la-radiografia-de-un-grupo-violento-noticia/ |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=[[Peru21]] |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=20 May 2023 |title='La Pestilencia' por dentro |language=es |work=[[IDL-Reporteros]] |url=https://www.idl-reporteros.pe/la-pestilencia-por-dentro-2/ |access-date=21 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=22 January 2020 |title="Alias Maelo", el crimen impune |language=es |work=[[IDL-Reporteros]] |url=https://www.idl-reporteros.pe/alias-maelo-el-crimen-impune/ |access-date=21 May 2023}}</ref> Following the victory of [[Pedro Castillo]] as president and his assumption to the post, La Resistancia advocated for his overthrow and participated in attacks against his government, aligning themselves with the far-right [[Congress of the Republic of Peru|Congress]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-11-20 |title=OEA en el Perú {{!}} Miembros de La Resistencia atacan con protestas a delegación de cancilleres y vicecancilleres de la OEA {{!}} Actualidad {{!}} La República |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/actualidad/2022/11/20/oea-en-el-peru-miembros-de-la-resistencia-atacan-con-protestas-a-delegacion-de-cancilleres-y-vicecancilleres-de-la-oea |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=[[La República]] |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=LR|first=Redacción|date=2021-11-08|title=Inteligencia del Mininter identifica a exmilitares extremistas|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2021/11/07/ministerio-del-interior-inteligencia-identifica-a-exmilitares-extremistas-pedro-castillo-vacancia-presidencial/|access-date=2021-11-09|website=larepublica.pe|language=es}}</ref> The group also attacked journalists.<ref>{{Cite web|last=LR|first=Redacción|date=2021-10-07|title=Integrantes de La Resistencia agredieron a un equipo de prensa en Cercado de Lima|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2021/10/07/integrantes-de-la-resistencia-agredieron-a-un-equipo-de-prensa-en-cercado-de-lima/|access-date=2021-10-08|website=larepublica.pe|language=es-PE}}</ref>

Following Castillo's removal in December 2022 and the beginning of protests, the government of [[Dina Boluarte]] participated in human rights abuses, with her forces allegedly using [[torture]], [[Police raid|unauthorized intrusions]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=LR |first=Redacción |date=21 January 2023 |title=San Marcos EN VIVO: presentan habeas corpus contra ministro del Interior por intrusión a la UNMSM |url=https://larepublica.pe/sociedad/2023/01/21/san-marcos-en-vivo-ultimas-noticias-de-desalojos-de-manifestantes-por-la-pnp-marcha-de-lima-y-toma-de-la-unmsm-hoy-21-de-enero-en-directo-jeri-ramon-protestas-en-peru-paro-dina-boluarte-congreso-atmp/ |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=larepublica.pe |language=es |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122061742/https://larepublica.pe/sociedad/2023/01/21/san-marcos-en-vivo-ultimas-noticias-de-desalojos-de-manifestantes-por-la-pnp-marcha-de-lima-y-toma-de-la-unmsm-hoy-21-de-enero-en-directo-jeri-ramon-protestas-en-peru-paro-dina-boluarte-congreso-atmp/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=22 January 2023 |title=Peru police make violent raid on Lima's San Marcos University |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/22/peru-police-make-violent-raid-on-limas-san-marcos-university |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=the Guardian |language=en |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122070356/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/22/peru-police-make-violent-raid-on-limas-san-marcos-university |url-status=live}}</ref> police brutality, political repression, extrajudicial killings,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-05 |title=Informe de la CIDH sobre Perú confirma violaciones de DD.HH. y habla de ejecuciones extrajudiciales |url=https://ojo-publico.com/derechos-humanos/informe-la-cidh-confirma-violaciones-derechos-humanos-peru |access-date=2023-05-24 |website=[[Ojo Público]] |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 2023 |title=El Violento Círculo de Duelo por Ojo Público |url=https://ojo-publico.com/ |access-date=2023-05-24 |website=[[OjoPúblico]]}}</ref> and massacres. The abuses also allegedly constituted [[racism]], disproportionately affecting impoverished indigenous communities.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Peru's 'racist bias' drove lethal police response to protests, Amnesty says|website=[[TheGuardian.com]] |date=16 February 2023 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/16/peru-protests-indigenous-racism-police-violence-amnesty-international|last1=Collyns |first1=Dan }}{{Retrieved|access-date=2023-02-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=16 February 2023|title=Peru: lethal state violence against protesters is disproportionately targeting indigenous communities – new research|url=https://www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releases/peru-lethal-state-violence-against-protesters-disproportionately-targeting}}{{Retrieved|access-date=2023-02-18}}</ref> The participation of La Resistencia in violence against protesters also brought more controversy on top of the government repression.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-12 |title=CPJ exige actuar a las autoridades peruanas ante ataques contra IDL-R |url=https://www.idl-reporteros.pe/cpj-exige-actuar-a-las-autoridades-peruanas-ante-ataques-contra-idl-r/ |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=[[IDL-Reporteros]] |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kessler |first=Jacob |title=Leading Peruvian-Jewish reporter hit with antisemitic protests after probing police |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/leading-peruvian-jewish-reporter-hit-with-antisemitic-protests-after-probing-police/ |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=[[Times of Israel]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{Refbegin}}
*{{cite book |last1=Asensio |first1=Raúl |url=https://fondoeditorial.iep.org.pe/producto/el-profe-como-pedro-castillo-se-convirtio-en-presidente-del-peru-y-que-pasara-a-continuacion-2/ |title=El Profe: Cómo Pedro Castillo se convirtió en presidente del Perú y qué pasará a continuación |last2=Camacho |first2=Gabriela |last3=González |first3=Natalia |last4=Grompone |first4=Romeo |last5=Pajuelo Teves |first5=Ramón |last6=Peña Jimenez |first6=Omayra |last7=Moscoso |first7=Macarena |last8=Vásquez |first8=Yerel |last9=Sosa Villagarcia |first9=Paolo |date=August 2021 |publisher=[[Institute of Peruvian Studies]] |isbn=978-612-326-084-2 |edition=1st |location=[[Lima, Peru]] |pages=27–71 |language=es |access-date=17 November 2021}}
*{{cite book |last1=Calderón |first1=Andrés |title=PolítiKa vs. Prensa: Una relación tóxica en en tiempos convulsionados |date=2022 |publisher=[[Penguin Random House]] |location=[[Lima]] |isbn=9786124272950}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}

{{Peruvian political crisis}}
{{Operation Car Wash}}
{{Peru topics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Peruvian political crisis, 2017}}
[[Category:2017 in Peru]]
[[Category:2018 in Peru]]
[[Category:2019 in Peru]]
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[[Category:2021 in Peru]]
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[[Category:2023 in Peru]]
[[Category:2017 in politics]]
[[Category:2018 in politics]]
[[Category:2019 in politics]]
[[Category:2020 in politics]]
[[Category:2021 in politics]]
[[Category:2022 in politics]]
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[[Category:Government crises|Peru]]
[[Category:Political controversies]]
[[Category:Political history of Peru]]
[[Category:Protests in Peru]]
[[Category:Democratic backsliding in Peru]]