Peru President Pedro Castillo Faces New Constitutional Complaint, Says 'New Form of Coup Has Begun'

Prosecutors in Peru have filed a constitutional complaint against President Pedro Castillo after five of his allies were arrested on corruption allegations. The president elected less than a year ago is the subject of five separate criminal investigations.

According to Al Jazeera, Castillo has already evaded two impeachment attempts, and the legal filing made by Attorney General Patricia Benavides in Congress on Tuesday was the most severe attack against him so far.

"We have found very serious indications of a criminal organization that has taken roots in the government," Benavides said.

Castillo has been criticized many times because people say he used his power as president to help himself and his family, which he denied.

While the president of Peru is often immune from criminal prosecution, a constitutional complaint enables Congress to conduct its trial. However, several analysts have said that prosecuting a current president is constitutionally complex.

The verdict of that trial, which does not need as many votes as an actual impeachment trial, might result in Pedro Castillo's suspension from office.

Peru President Pedro Castillo Says New Complaints Are New Form of Coup d'etat

In response to the Prosecutor's Office ordering raids on the residences of several parliamentarians and his sister for an alleged corruption case, Pedro Castillo said Tuesday that "a new form of coup d'etat" had begun.

"Today, in the morning hours, the execution of a new type of coup has begun in Peru," Castillo noted during a conference with the foreign press.

"Never has it been seen in the history of the country that the homes of officials, congressmen, and former government workers are raided simultaneously, being convinced by false information (...) that we are tarnished," he added.

The president said the prosecutors want to legitimize a criminal network and do not care about people's dignity and respect for families. He noted that his government would stand "tall and firm" despite the political prosecution, La Prensa Latina reported.

Peru President Pedro Castillo Meets Antony Blinken Amidst Criminal Investigations

Last week, Pedro Castillo and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met to talk about food security, fertilizer shortages, migration, and fighting drug trafficking.

Cesar Landa, Peru's minister of foreign affairs, welcomed Blinken, who met privately with Castillo at the Presidential Palace on October 6.

Blinken's visit took place during the 52nd General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS), which happened last week in Lima. Blinken and Landa gave a press conference after the visit, according to Peru Reports.

Blinken said a work plan is in place to achieve goals that will benefit the people, including food security, fertilizers, and migration management. He thanked Peru for organizing the 52nd OAS General Assembly.

"We're grateful for Peru's leadership in hosting what was, I think, a constructive and consequential meeting of the OAS," the U.S. official said.

Pedro Castillo has accumulated six preliminary investigations by the Prosecutor's Office against him since taking office in July 2021, five of them in Benavides' hands.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Peru's President Pedro Castillo in Court Over Criminal Charges - From Al Jazeera English