Peru's new president Dina Boluarte said yesterday (Friday) that she is willing to discuss early elections with the country's political forces, but ruled out at this stage the possibility of constitutional amendments.
Boluarte, who took office on Wednesday after the ouster of her predecessor Pedro Castillo, appealed to her compatriots for calm and restraint amid episodic demonstrations in support of the country's former president.
Peruvian television earlier broadcast images of hundreds of farmers blocking part of a main highway, calling for early elections.
"If society and the current situation justify the calling of elections, then in consultation with the democratic and political forces in Congress, we will sit down and discuss," Boluarte told reporters.
"I am not the one who caused this situation, I am simply fulfilling my constitutional role," she added, addressing her compatriots, she said: "I call on my sisters and brothers who are demonstrating ... to calm down."
The 60-year-old lawyer, who was Castillo's vice president, became Peru's first woman president and her term will end in 2026 if early elections are not called.
Asked about calls from left-wing parties to change the constitution, Boluarte said she believes "it is not the time. Right now Peru is going through a political crisis and we also need to resolve the economic and food crisis."
Peru's new president said she plans to visit Pedro Castillo in prison, noting that "his coup surprised us all, including his ministers."
Castillo tried to dissolve Congress hours before the vote that led to his ouster. He was arrested and faces criminal charges.
Pedro Castillo's former chief of staff and lawyer claimed that the former Peruvian president delivered the speech while under the influence of drugs.
Mexican authorities said Thursday that they had begun talks with the Peruvian government about Castillo's request to the Mexican embassy for political asylum. On Friday afternoon, Peru's Peruvian Foreign Ministry summoned the Mexican ambassador to express its protest over this "interference in Peru's internal affairs."
Source: APM
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