Blinken calls on Peru leader to pursue reforms, reconciliation

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US State Secretary Antony Blinken spoke to installed Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, calling on the leader carrying out massive suppression campaigns to push with reforms and "focus on reconciliation" despite thousands taking to the streets to protest in favor of ousted President Pedro Castillo.

Protesters demand the release of ousted president Pedro Castillo, the resignation of Boluarte, and for fresh elections to be held. On the other hand, Congress voted against a bill to bring forward elections by more than two years from 2026 to December 2023.

"Secretary Blinken encouraged Peru's institutions and civil authorities to redouble their efforts to make needed reforms and safeguard democratic stability," State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement, which highlighted that the US top diplomat spoke with the Peruvian leader on Friday.

"The United States looks forward to working closely with President Boluarte on shared goals and values," the statement added, noting that Blinken stressed the need for all Peruvian actors "to engage in constructive dialogue to ease political divisions and focus on reconciliation."

Castillo's Vice President, Dina Boluarte, was sworn in as president last week after the president was ousted by Congress and detained by the police earlier, just 17 months after his election.

During the session in which she was sworn in, Dina said she is assuming the presidency "in accordance with the Constitution of Peru, from now until July 26, 2026," the date on which Castillo's term would have expired.

Meanwhile, the incident sparked outrage all over the country, as Castillo had been a favorite among the Peruvian public, having been a rural schoolteacher and voicing leftist ideals. 

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Health officials reported that the protests that took place all over the country in light of the president's removal have claimed at least 20 lives with nearly 600 injuries.

Boluarte said she would not be stepping down despite the protests intensifying all over the country. 

Neighboring countries on the continent, including Argentina, Colombia, Bolivia, and Mexico are demanding that Castillo be released, asserting that Castillo is a victim of "anti-democratic persecution" and calling for his human rights to be respected. The governments put forward that they recognize Castillo as the only legitimate Peruvian president.

Honduras, in addition, said the situation shows a "serious constitutional breach," condemning the coup d'etat immediately after Castillo was arrested. 

Meanwhile, Washington immediately defended the new regime. Just a day after the arrest, Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian A. Nichols said “we applaud Peruvians as they unite in support of their democracy,” and that “the US welcomes President Boluarte and looks forward to working with her administration to achieve a more democratic, prosperous, and secure region.”