Pedro Castillo, former President of Peru, was hospitalized after starting a hunger strike protesting his rebellion trial. Detained since December 2022, he faces a potential 34-year prison sentence. Following his controversial removal from office, significant public unrest has occurred, resulting in many deaths. Castillo’s trial is viewed by him as politicized, and he seeks international intervention against sanctions imposed on him by Peru’s corrections agency.
Former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo was transferred from prison to a hospital on Thursday, following three days of a hunger strike in protest of his ongoing rebellion trial. Medical professionals cited a “health problem” requiring assessment for potential fluid-electrolyte disorder and mild dehydration.
Castillo, aged 55, has been detained since December 7, 2022, after announcing the dissolution of Congress during a televised speech. Congress swiftly removed him from office on the same day of his announcement.
Describing his trial as “politicized” and a “pantomime,” Castillo has declined legal counsel from the judicial system. At the trial’s opening last week, he denied rebellion charges, asserting that he merely expressed the people’s wishes through political discourse.
Following Castillo’s removal, then Vice President Dina Boluarte assumed the presidency, leading to three months of protests throughout the country, which sadly resulted in numerous fatalities.
A former rural teacher, Castillo unexpectedly won Peru’s 2021 presidential election despite lacking political experience. In addition to his ongoing trial, he is subject to a criminal investigation for alleged corruption during his administration.
Peru’s corrections agency has deemed Castillo’s hunger strike a violation of prison regulations, resulting in the suspension of his visitation rights and his placement in isolation. Walter Ayala, a former minister and Castillo’s attorney, revealed that Castillo has sought intervention from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights regarding the sanctions imposed against him.
In summary, Pedro Castillo’s hunger strike reflects his ongoing protest against what he considers a politically motivated trial. His transfer to a hospital highlights concerns for his health amidst the legal challenges he faces, including corruption investigations. The political climate in Peru remains tense, influenced by Castillo’s removal and subsequent public unrest, resulting in significant casualties. The former president’s appeal for international intervention illustrates the contentious nature of his situation.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
