Pedro Castillo, former president of Peru, was hospitalized after a hunger strike protesting his rebellion trial. He has been detained since December 2022 following a speech dissolving Congress. Castillo claims his trial is politically motivated, while protests have arisen in response to his removal from office.
Pedro Castillo, the former President of Peru, was transferred from prison to a hospital three days after beginning a hunger strike in protest of his ongoing trial for rebellion. His transfer was prompted by health concerns, specifically to rule out a fluid-electrolyte disorder and mild dehydration, as reported by the court overseeing his case.
Castillo, aged 55, has been in detention since December 7, 2022, following a controversial televised address in which he announced the dissolution of Congress and his intent to assume power by decree. He characterizes the trial as politically motivated and has refused to accept legal representation from the judicial system. Congress subsequently removed him from the presidency on the same day as his speech.
During the trial’s opening last week, Castillo denied the charges of rebellion, arguing that his actions were merely a reflection of the people’s desires expressed through political speech. Following his removal, Dina Boluarte was sworn in as the new President, leading to three months of protests in Peru, which resulted in numerous fatalities.
Before his presidency, Castillo was a rural school teacher lacking prior political experience and won the 2021 elections. Alongside the present trial, he is currently facing a separate criminal investigation regarding allegations of corruption during his presidency.
In summary, the former President of Peru, Pedro Castillo, has been hospitalized after initiating a hunger strike in response to his ongoing rebellion trial. His incarceration dates back to December 2022, and he continues to contest the legitimacy of the charges against him. The political fallout from his presidency has led to significant unrest in Peru, highlighting the country’s turbulent political landscape.
Original Source: www.newsday.com
