The actions of the Peruvian government have followed the current legal order
The following article was contributed by the Embassy of Peru in Seoul for publication by The Korea Post media, publisher of 3 English and 2 Korean-language news publications since 1985.—Ed.
On December 7, an attempt was made in our country to break the constitutional order promoted by the former President of the Republic, José Pedro Castillo Terrones, in which he announced the unconstitutional closure of Congress, the intervention of the Judiciary, the Public Ministry, the Constitutional Court and the National Board of Justice, among other measures. All this before the Congress of the Republic discussed the third vacancy motion against him.
The announced measures, which represented an attempt to break the constitutional order, were harshly criticized and rejected by the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches, the Public Ministry, the Ombudsman, political parties, personalities, foreign governments, and the general public.
These actions constituted a coup d'état and motivated the decision of the Congress of the Republic to declare the presidential vacancy within the framework of the strictest adherence and respect to the Political Constitution of Peru.
Given this decision of the representatives of the Peruvian people and in accordance with the provisions of Article 115 of the Political Constitution of Peru, Vice President Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra was summoned to assume the Presidency of the Republic on December 7.
Despite the fact that the democratic transition took place in accordance with the law, some violent groups, involved among citizens who exercise their legitimate right to protest, have perpetrated acts of violence in various parts of the country, which has resulted in an unfortunate and tragic balance. of people killed and dozens of injured, including many members of law enforcement who were deployed to safeguard the Rule of Law.
It should be noted that the national government has always favored dialogue to achieve peace and social security. However, violent groups have continued with their actions that violate the Peruvian democratic order and legality. Faced with this situation, a state of national emergency has been decreed for 30 days and the National Police of Peru maintains control of internal order, with the support of the Armed Forces. In addition, dialogue tables have been established in all the country's departments under the responsibility of cabinet members. Dialogue tables are direct communication mechanisms between the government and the population, which seek solutions to the demands raised by the population.
Taking into account the existing political consensus in Peru, President Boluarte has presented a bill to the Congress of the Republic to advance the general elections, requesting that they be held in April 2024.
It is important to take into account that the actions of the Peruvian government, in the face of the coup perpetrated by former President Castillo, have followed the current legal order with the fundamental objective of restoring democratic institutions in our country. In this sense, it must be reiterated that the actions of the Peruvian government and authorities in the face of the coup d'état have been adjusted to the strictest legality and in accordance with the current constitutional order.
In Peru there is no political persecution and the rule of law prevails, the separation of powers and respect for the guarantees of the administration of justice, including due process
Additionally, Peru will continue to be, faithful to its tradition, a country committed to the full validity of international law and to compliance with its international obligations. Proof of this is the granting of safe-conduct to the wife, Lilia Ulcida Paredes Navarro, and the two minor children of former President Pedro Castillo in accordance with the international obligations derived from the Caracas Convention on Diplomatic Asylum of 1954, after that Mexico qualify and grant asylum, and request, under the aforementioned Convention, the safe-conduct. Mrs. Paredes and her children left Peru at dawn on December 21, on a commercial flight, and are already in Mexican territory.
Finally, it should be noted that the measures adopted by the Peruvian government have received international support from organizations such as the United Nations, the European Union, and foreign governments such as the United States, Canada, and Korea, among others, who have conveyed their solidarity with the President Boluarte and have welcomed the initiative to recover democratic institutions and the restoration of public order in the country.