Peru President Dina Boluarte to Replace Prime Minister Amid Cabinet Reshuffle

Peru's new president, Dina Boluarte, announced a new change in her government, saying that she will replace the prime minister as part of her Cabinet shakeup.

Boluarte announced that the Cabinet changes will take effect on Monday and Tuesday.

Boluarte noted in a news conference that the move was triggered by a need to be "able to install knowledgeable ministers in each sector."

The Peruvian president said that they will be reshaping the Cabinet to be a "more technical Cabinet" that is a little more political to be able to create dialogues.

Boluarte was named president after Pedro Castillo was removed from office. He is then detained after illegally trying to dissolve Congress.

Boluarte's government has been met with much resistance, with protests across the nation erupting. The protests left 20 dead, with six more killed after incidents related to road blockades.

Castillo attempted to remove Congress and has earlier said that the group is led by Peru's elites.

Congress is unpopular among Peruvians and seen as "corrupt and self-serving."

Peru's Dina Boluarte on Congress

Boluarte has called on the country's Congress to bring forward general elections amid the widespread protests in the country after Castillo's removal from office.

Congress failed to gather enough votes to approve her proposal for a constitutional amendment that would bring forward the elections, which were originally scheduled for 2026, to December 2023.

Boluarte cited polls showing more than 80% of Peruvians clamoring for general elections for president and Congress to bring stability to the country.

Protesters are also calling for Boluarte's resignation and for Castillo to be released on charges of rebellion and conspiracy.

Boluarte refused to resign, asking what would be solved by her resignation.

She also told legislators that it was not a time for political revenge, noting that 83% of the country wanted new elections.

Protests in Peru

Soldiers allegedly shot eight protesters on Thursday in the southern mountain region of Ayacucho.

Protesters have managed to breach several regional airports, loot businesses, and block roads.

The violence pushed two Cabinet members of Boluarte, the education and culture ministers, to resign.

Prosecutors have also announced that there will be investigations into the deaths of the protesters.

Peru's official human rights watchdog called on security forces to ensure officers had enough experience, training, and capacity to wind down protests without committing abuses.

A tailor protesting in the city of Puno on Lake Titicaca, Alfonso Nahuinche, said that Castillo is their president and "elected by humble, working people from the countryside." He added that Castillo represented them and understood their struggles and needs.

Nahuinche went on to say that it was the reason why Castillo was not popular in Lima, adding that the ousted president "was set up by the right, by Congress."

Another member also accused members of Congress of being "coup mongers, neoliberals, and racists."

The protester also said that Congress would not tolerate Castillo as president being someone of Indigenous or mixed ancestry.

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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