Castillo states he will be released despite judge denying appeal
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In a statement, he insisted that he'll be released on Wednesday even after a judge denied his appeal and demanded the head of the state remain in detention.
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Pedro Castillo, the imprisoned former president of Peru.
Pedro Castillo, Peru's former president who was deposed by what some have called a coup attempt, gave an optimistic statement with aim to 'give hope' to tens of thousands of indigenous-majority protestors who've been demonstrating against the detainment of the leader by security forces.
He insisted that he'll be released on Wednesday, even after a judge denied his appeal and demanded the head of the state remain in detention, as a parliamentary coup overtakes the political stability in Peru.
“Compatriots: tomorrow, Wednesday, December 14, seven days have passed since an unjust and abusive detention,” Castillo wrote on his personal Twitter page. Seven days in which the people have shown me their solidarity and commitment in defense of our government and its future. Tomorrow at 1:42 p.m. I will go free.”
Compatriotas: mañana miércoles 14 de diciembre se cumplen siete días de una injusta y abusiva detención. Siete días en donde el pueblo me ha demostrado su solidaridad y compromiso en defensa de nuestro gobierno y su futuro. Mañana a las 1:42 pm. Saldré en libertad. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/C1F0pgT4jl
— Pedro Castillo Terrones (@PedroCastilloTe) December 13, 2022
Mass demonstrations in the country have been calling for Castillo's release from jail and the dissolution of Congress, whose approval rating is a mere 10%. The protesters seized major highways and the Arequipa airport.
Peruvian prosecutors sought to sentence Castillo to three years in prison for the alleged "crime of rebellion," locking him up on December 7 after attempting a third impeachment of Congress attempt to dissolve a historically-unpopular legislative body.
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.”
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.
Read next: Peru's Castillo urges people not to fall for Congress "dirty games"
On Sunday, the Agro-Rural Front of Peru, which groups about a dozen organizations, rural unions, and organizations with a wide indigenous base, are calling for an "indefinite strike" to be launched on Tuesday to demand the total suspension of congress, fresh elections, a new constitution, and Castillo's immediate release.
The Rural Front further insists that Castillo "did not perpetrate a coup d'etat" on Wednesday, adding that they have also declared popular insurgence against the "neo-fascist" coup d'état by Congress. They announced a national shutdown on 13-14 December and a sational day of "strife" on 15 December.
