Peru's Castillo urges people not to fall for Congress "dirty games"

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
12 Dec 2022 23:15
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As Peru's Pedro Castillo wrote he experienced abuse at the hands of law enforcement, demonstrators blocked the airport runway in Peru's second-largest city, Arequipa, to demand his immediate release.

"I do not quit nor abandon my functions... The people must not fall for their dirty game of new elections. Enough abuses! Constitutional Assembly now!!"

In a hand-written letter posted on Twitter, Peru's jailed president Pedro Castillo said he has not quit or abandoned his functions as President of the Republic of Peru and urged the people to not fall for the right's "dirty games" in initiating a fresh round of elections.

In the letter, Pedro states he was "humiliated, placed in solitary confinement, mistreated and kidnapped, but still clothed with your trust and struggle, with the majesty of the sovereign people, but also infused with the glorious spirit of our ancestors."

"I speak to you to reiterate that I am unconditionally faithful to the popular and constitutional mandate I ostentatiously hold as President, and I will not resign or abandon my high and sacred functions," he added.

Referring to Boluarte and the Congress of Peru, he further said "What was said recently by a usurper is nothing more than the same snot and drool of the right. Therefore, the people should not fall for their dirty game of new elections. Enough of abuse! Constituent Assembly now! Immediate freedom!."

PEDRO CASTILLO: President Boluarte is an usurper... "I do not quit nor abandon my functions... The people must not fall for their dirty game of new elections. Enough abuses! Constitutional Assembly now!!" pic.twitter.com/aczejrCdew
— COMBATE |🇵🇷 (@upholdreality) December 12, 2022

As his call was being shared all across the nation, reports were being issued that hundreds of protesters blocked the airport runway in Peru's second-largest city, Arequipa, to demand the immediate release of Castillo and the resignation of Boluarte.

Protestors in Peru have taken the International Airport in Arequipa, second most important city of the country. Flights have been suspended as protestors demand an end to the coup govt. Protests are intensifying towards the national strike on Dec 15th despite heavy repression. pic.twitter.com/Wk1SdJ4m3O
— Manolo De Los Santos (@manolo_realengo) December 12, 2022

Yesterday, 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 National day of "strife" on 15 December.

Earlier today, it was reported that demonstrators in Peru blocked the highly strategic Carretera Panamericana, the Pan-American Highway which stretches across the entire Americas and runs north–south through the whole length of Peru and connects all major cities in the country's coastal area.

The massive traffic jams left several trucks and suburban passengers, including vehicles carrying livestock hanging in an eight-hour-long tailback.