Tag: Peru

Peru: thwarted auto-golpe or successful coup?

auto-golpeFacing a third round of impeachment (or "vacancy") proceedings, Peru's president Pedro Castillo ordered the dissolution of Congress and announced a "government of exception" that would rule by decree. But his government immediately collapsed as protesters, many armed with clubs, filled the streets of Lima. Most of his cabinet resigned, with foreign minister César Landa tweeting: "I strongly condemn this coup d'état and call on the international community to assist in the re-establishment of democracy in Peru." Defying the dissolution order, Congress quickly approved a "vacancy" measure, calling for Castillo's immediate ouster. The Public Ministry, the government's prosecutorial body, confirmed that Castillo has been arrested, charged with "breaching constitutional order." His vice president Dina Boluarte, who also condemned Castillo's action, was sworn in as Peru's new mandatary. National Police troops have flooded the streets of Lima, which remains under curfew. (Photo via Twitter)

Peru: bill to exempt miners from oversight

Cerro PascoPeru's Ministry of Environment (MINAM) issued a statement rejecting the Congress' approval of Bill 412, which exempts bankrupt mining companies from complying with environmental certifications. The bill, introduced by the right-wing Popular Force bloc, establishes special measures for companies in asset restructuring. After the bill’s text was approved, the Executive Branch raised concerns, and sent it back to Congress for further review. However, the Congressional leadership approved the text a second time, and it was passed by a vote in plenary. MINAM's statement said the law is "unviable since it allows mining companies in a precarious economic situation…to have a legal argument that will affect the health of the population and that does not guarantee care for the environment." MINAM called on Congress to re-evaluate the law a second time. (Photo: WikimediaCommons)