Former President Pedro Castillo was hospitalized after starting a hunger strike against his rebellion trial. Facing a 34-year sentence, he has claimed the trial is politically motivated. His actions have led to increased tensions following his ouster in December 2022.
Former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo was transferred to a hospital on Thursday after beginning a hunger strike three days prior, protesting his ongoing rebellion trial. The court overseeing his trial indicated that his transfer was due to a health issue, specifically to address concerns of a fluid-electrolyte imbalance and mild dehydration.
Castillo, aged 55, faces a stiff sentence of 34 years in prison if convicted. He has been in detention since December 7, 2022, when he attempted to dissolve Congress and declared his intention to rule by decree, leading to his immediate removal by Congress.
He has characterized his trial as “politicized” and a “pantomime,” rejecting the legal counsel provided to him. During the trial’s opening, he asserted that he did not commit rebellion, defending his actions as an expression of public sentiment through political speech.
Following Castillo’s ousting, Dina Boluarte, the then Vice President, took over as President. This transition triggered widespread protests across the nation, resulting in numerous casualties. Castillo, originally a rural school teacher with no prior political background, also faces a separate investigation for allegations of corruption.
Peru’s corrections service has deemed his hunger strike a violation of prison regulations, leading to the suspension of his visitation rights and placing him in isolation. Walter Ayala, a former minister under Castillo, mentioned that Castillo had petitioned the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights for intervention against the sanctions imposed on him by the corrections agency.
Pedro Castillo’s ongoing trial and protests reflect significant political tension in Peru, stemming from his controversial presidency and subsequent removal from office. His health-related transfer during a hunger strike illustrates the urgent conditions surrounding his legal battles and the broader implications for the country’s political landscape.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
