Peru’s Supreme Court has sentenced former president Pedro Castillo to more than 11 years in prison after determining that he committed rebellion during his failed attempt to dissolve Congress and assume rule by decree in late 2022.
Castillo, a leftist elected in 2021 on a promise to uplift the country’s rural poor, sought to dissolve the legislature as lawmakers prepared to impeach him on corruption allegations.
The attempt collapsed almost immediately as key ministers abandoned him. He was arrested while en route to the Mexican embassy, where he intended to request asylum.
The ruling follows another major verdict only a day earlier, when former president Martin Vizcarra received a 14-year sentence for accepting bribes years before taking office, underscoring a wave of accountability actions aimed at Peru’s political elite.
Castillo’s removal triggered nationwide unrest that was met with heavy security-force crackdowns, leaving at least 50 people dead.
Prosecutors had sought a 34-year sentence, arguing that his actions constituted a grave assault on Peru’s constitutional order.
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