{{Short description|President of Peru from 2021 to 2022}} {{other people}} {{family name hatnote|Castillo|Terrones|lang=Hispanic American}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Pedro Castillo | honorific_suffix = OSP OCA | image = Pedro Castillo portrait.png | caption = Castillo in 2022 | order = 63rd | office = President of Peru | prime_minister = {{collapsible list|title=''See list''|Guido Bellido<br/>Mirtha Vásquez<br/>Héctor Valer<br/>Aníbal Torres<br/>Betssy Chávez}} | vice_president = {{small|'''First Vice President'''}}<br/>Dina Boluarte<br/>{{small|'''Second Vice President'''}}<br/>''Vacant''{{efn|Vladimir Cerrón was his second vice presidential candidate; however, he was excluded from campaign after being deemed ineligible by the National Jury of Elections due to Cerrón's conviction on corruption charges.}} | term_start = 28 July 2021 | term_end = 7 December 2022 | predecessor = Francisco Sagasti | successor = Dina Boluarte | party = {{ill|Todo con el Pueblo|es}} (since 2024) | other_party = {{ubl|Possible Peru (2002–2017)|Free Peru (2020–2022)|Independent (until 2002, 2017–2020, 2022–2024)}} | spouse = {{marriage|Lilia Paredes|2000}} | children = 2 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1969|10|19|df=y}} | birth_place = Puña, Peru | death_date = | death_place = | education = César Vallejo University (BA, MA) | signature = Pedro Castillo signature.svg | birth_name = José Pedro Castillo Terrones | country = Peru | alt = Portrait of Castillo }} {{Pedro Castillo sidebar}} '''José Pedro Castillo Terrones''' ({{IPA|es-419|xoˈse ˈpeðɾo kasˈtiʝo teˈrones|lang|José Pedro Castillo Terrones.wav|listen}}; born 19 October 1969) is a Peruvian politician, former elementary school teacher, and union leader who served as the president of Peru from 28 July 2021 until he was removed from office on 7 December 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|date=28 July 2021|title=Peru's Castillo assumes presidency amid political storms in divided nation|url= https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/perus-castillo-assumes-presidency-amid-political-storms-divided-nation-2021-07-28/|access-date=28 July 2021|website= Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021|title=Peru Libre: Ideario y Programa |url= https://declara.jne.gob.pe/ASSETS/PLANGOBIERNO/FILEPLANGOBIERNO/16542.pdf |page=8|access-date=25 June 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 January 2023 |title=Peru's Overlapping Messes |url=https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/perus-overlapping-messes |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars |language=en |quote=Rural and indigenous peoples have been historically under-served by Lima-based national institutions. In 2021, Peruvians elected the country’s first 'campesino president,' but he faced an obstructionist opposition and proved unable to make good on any of his campaign promises, producing significant disillusion.}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite news | agency = The Associated Press |date=2022-12-07 |title=Peru's president dissolves Congress, but legislators vote to replace him | work=NPR |url= https://www.npr.org/2022/12/07/1141307938/peru-president-dissolves-congress-pedro-castillo |access-date=2022-12-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-12-07 |title=Peru's President Pedro Castillo replaced by Dina Boluarte after impeachment |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-63895505 |access-date=2022-12-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lopez Marina |first=Diego |date=2022-12-07 |title=Peru's Pedro Castillo impeached, detained by authorities after attempting to dissolve congress |url=https://www.perureports.com/perus-pedro-castillo-impeached-detained-by-authorities-after-attempting-to-dissolve-congress/9870/ |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=Perú Reports |language=en |quote=President Pedro Castillo of Peru was ousted from office and later detained by authorities after he illegally attempted to dissolve congress hours before the body was set to vote on his impeachment.}}</ref>
Born to a peasant family in Puña, Cajamarca, Castillo began working in Peru's informal economy as a teenager to earn funds for his studies in education and later returned to his hometown to become a primary school teacher. He attained political prominence as a leading figure in a school teachers' strike in 2017. He ran in the 2021 presidential election as the candidate of the socialist Free Peru party. Castillo announced his presidential candidacy after seeing his students undergo hardships from the lack of resources in rural Peru, with the election occurring amidst the country's COVID-19 pandemic and a period of democratic deterioration in the nation. With the support of individuals living in rural and outlying provinces, he placed first in the initial round of the presidential vote and advanced to the second round where he won against his opponent Keiko Fujimori.<ref name=":24">{{Cite web|title=Presentación de resultados, segunda elección presidencial 2021|url=https://www.resultadossep.eleccionesgenerales2021.pe/SEP2021/EleccionesPresidenciales/RePres/T|publisher=ONPE|language=es|date=25 June 2021|access-date=25 June 2022|archive-date=8 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608015227/https://www.resultadossep.eleccionesgenerales2021.pe/SEP2021/EleccionesPresidenciales/RePres/T|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) official second round results|url=https://www.resultadossep.eleccionesgenerales2021.pe/SEP2021/EleccionesPresidenciales/RePres/T|publisher=ONPE|language=es|date=25 June 2021|access-date=25 June 2022|archive-date=8 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608015227/https://www.resultadossep.eleccionesgenerales2021.pe/SEP2021/EleccionesPresidenciales/RePres/T|url-status=dead}}</ref> Castillo's victory in the presidential race was confirmed on 19 July 2021 and he was inaugurated on 28 July.<ref name=":31">{{cite news |last1=Aquino |first1=Marco |title=Peru socialist Castillo confirmed president after lengthy battle over results |url= https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/perus-fujimori-admits-defeat-presidential-election-lashes-out-socialist-rival-2021-07-19/ |publisher=Reuters |date=19 July 2021|access-date=25 June 2022}}</ref><ref name=":62" />
Characterised as conservative-left, Castillo was described as a left-wing candidate with conservative tendencies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=De la Puente|first=Juan|year=2022|title=Los cuatro Castillo|url=https://www.revistaquehacer.pe/9/los-cuatro-castillo|access-date=2025-02-24|website=Quehacer|quote=Castillo fue un candidato que representaba un poco de cada valor del escenario: cambio, antipolítica, hartazgo y conservadurismo social, entre otros}}</ref> After taking office, Castillo named far-left and left-wing cabinets, due to the influence of Free Peru leader Vladimir Cerrón and other more left-wing politicians.<ref name=":39" /><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Aquino|first1=Marco|last2=Rochabrun|first2=Marcelo|date=5 November 2021|title=Peru's Congress confirms new moderate left Cabinet|work= Reuters |url= https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/perus-castillo-swears-new-minister-he-awaits-cabinet-confirmation-vote-congress-2021-11-04/|access-date=20 November 2021}}</ref><ref name=":38">{{Cite web |last=Collyns |first=Dan |date=6 February 2022 |title=Peru's prime minister to step down after allegations of domestic violence |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/06/perus-prime-minister-to-step-down-after-allegations-of-domestic-violence |access-date=8 February 2022 |website=The Guardian}}</ref> A social conservative, Castillo ultimately began to align his policies with Congress and Evangelical groups on social issues, including his opposition to same-sex marriage, gender studies and sex education.<ref name="Jones 2021" /><ref name=":44" /><ref name="France 24 2021 soc con" />{{sfn|Asensio|Camacho|González|Grompone|2021|pp=55–56}} He left the Free Peru party in June 2022 to govern as an independent.<ref>{{cite web |date=5 July 2022 |title=Peruvian President Pedro Castillo leaves Marxist political party that helped bring him to power |url=https://perureports.com/peruvian-president-pedro-castillo-leaves-marxist-political-party-that-helped-bring-him-to-power/9589/ |work=Perú Reports}}</ref> In attempts to appease the right-wing Congress, he later appointed members of center and center-right political parties as ministers of state.<ref name=":42" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2 February 2022 |title=Pedro Castillo nombra a un congresista moderado para liderar el Consejo de Ministros |url= https://www.france24.com/es/am%C3%A9rica-latina/20220202-peru-pedro-castillo-gabinete-valer |access-date=28 September 2022 |website=France 24 |language= es}}</ref> Castillo was noted for appointing four different governments in six months, a Peruvian record.<ref name=":37"/>
Castillo's presidency had a minority in Congress, and faced opposition which led to three impeachment proceedings, although the first two failed to reach the necessary votes to remove him from office.<ref name=":42">{{Cite web |last=Garzón |first=Aníbal |date=2023-01-01 |title=Peru's permanent coup |url=https://mondediplo.com/2023/01/13peru |access-date=2023-01-19 |website=Le Monde diplomatique |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=7 December 2021 |title=Congreso no admite a debate moción de vacancia contra Pedro Castillo |url= https://larepublica.pe/politica/2021/12/07/pedro-castillo-congreso-no-admite-a-debate-mocion-de-vacancia-presidencial-contra-el-presidente-de-la-republica-congreso-el-peru-patricia-chirinos/|access-date=8 December 2021 |newspaper=La Republica |language=es}}</ref><ref name=":40">{{cite news|date=28 March 2022 |title=Peru's president avoids impeachment after marathon debate |url= https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/28/peru-president-castillo-braces-for-imminent-impeachment-vote |access-date=29 March 2022 | work =Al Jazeera}}</ref> Following the second failed impeachment vote in March 2022, protests took place across the country against high fuel and fertilizer prices caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and sanctions against Russia. Mining protests also intensified as the country's economy plummeted.<ref>{{Cite news|date=4 April 2022|title=Peru Imposes Curfew to Stymie Protests Over Rising Fuel Costs|publisher=Reuters|url= https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-04-04/peruvians-protest-surging-gas-and-fertilizer-prices-amid-ukraine-invasion|access-date=8 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=21 April 2022|title=Analysis: Peru's Castillo hardens stance on mining protests as economy stumbles|publisher=Reuters|url= https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/perus-castillo-hardens-stance-mining-protests-economy-stumbles-2022-04-21/|access-date=21 April 2022}}</ref> On 1 December 2022, Peru's Congress approved a motion initiated by opposition lawmakers to start the third formal attempt to impeach Castillo.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/peru-congress-backs-motion-start-impeachment-against-castillo-2022-12-02/ | title=Peru Congress backs motion to start impeachment against Castillo|work=Reuters|date=2 December 2022|access-date=2 December 2022}}</ref>
On 7 December 2022, Castillo, facing imminent impeachment proceedings, attempted a self-coup, tried to form a provisional government, instituted a national curfew, and called for the formation of an assembly to draft a new constitution. Castillo was impeached by Congress within the day and was detained for sedition and high treason.<ref name=collyns>{{cite news| last=Collyns | first=Dan | title=Peru's president reportedly detained and accused of sedition | newspaper=The Guardian | date=7 December 2022 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/07/peru-president-detained-pedro-castillo-coup}}</ref><ref name=":41">{{Cite news |last=Taj |first=Mitra |date=2022-12-07 |title=Peru's President Quickly Ousted After Moving to Dissolve Congress |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/07/world/americas/peru-pedro-castillo-coup.html |access-date=2022-12-07 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> He was succeeded by First Vice President Dina Boluarte. After his removal, pro-Castillo protests broke out calling for new elections and Castillo's release, leading Boluarte to align herself with the opposition to Castillo.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Briceño|first1=Franklin |last2=Garcia Cano |first2=Regina |title=Anger in rural areas fuels protests against Peru government |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/anger-rural-areas-fuel-protests-peru-government-95112576 |access-date=13 December 2022 |work=ABC News |agency=Associated Press |date=December 12, 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Peru protests grow despite new president's early election pledge |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/12/12/two-killed-in-peru-as-protests-over-castillos-arrest-spread |access-date=13 December 2022 |work=Al Jazeera English |date=December 12, 2022 }}</ref> His trial began in March 2025 and on 27 November he was sentenced to 11 years in prison.
==Early life and education== Castillo was born to an impoverished and illiterate peasant family in Puña, Tacabamba, Chota Province, Department of Cajamarca.<ref name=":25">{{Cite web|date=18 April 2021|title=Miseria rural impulsa candidatura de maestro en Perú|url=https://apnews.com/article/noticias-b70cb0774bba0a410f2649ba955fdb5a |access-date=27 June 2021|website=Associated Press}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite web|date=18 April 2021|title=Students' struggles pushed Peru teacher to run for president|url=https://apnews.com/article/latin-america-gardening-coronavirus-pandemic-peru-714133c2227b25bf020adb683b9cc476 |access-date=22 April 2021|work=Associated Press News}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> Despite being the location of South America's largest gold mine, Cajamarca has remained one of the poorest regions in Peru.<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|first1=Inés|last1=Santaeulalia|first2=Jacqueline|last2=Fowks|date=12 April 2021|title=Perú se encamina a una lucha por la presidencia entre el radical Pedro Castillo y Keiko Fujimori|url=https://elpais.com/internacional/2021-04-12/el-maestro-de-izquierda-radical-pedro-castillo-se-acerca-a-la-segunda-vuelta-segun-los-primeros-sondeos.html |access-date=13 April 2021|website=El País|language=es}}</ref> He is the third of nine children.<ref name=":12" />
His father, Ireño Castillo, was born on the hacienda of a landowning family where he performed labor-intensive work.<ref name=":25" /><ref name="Quesada 2021">{{cite web|last=Quesada|first=Juan Diego|date=10 June 2021|title=Pedro Castillo, the barefoot candidate poised to become the next president of Peru|url=https://english.elpais.com/usa/2021-06-10/pedro-castillo-the-barefoot-candidate-poised-to-become-the-next-president-of-peru.html |access-date=11 June 2021|website=El País|quote=}}</ref> His family rented land from the landowners until General Juan Velasco Alvarado took power and redistributed property from landowners to peasants, with Ireño receiving a plot of land he had been working on.<ref name=":25" /><ref name="Quesada 2021" /> As a child, Castillo balanced his schooling with farm work at home, completing his elementary and high school education at the Octavio Matta Contreras de Cutervo Higher Pedagogical Institute.<ref name="Quesada 2021" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=Elecciones 2021: Conoce el perfil de Pedro Castillo, candidato del partido Perú Libre|url=https://andina.pe/agencia/noticia-elecciones-2021-conoce-perfil-pedro-castillo-candidato-del-partido-peru-libre-831311.aspx|access-date=3 February 2021|website=andina.pe|date=26 January 2021 |language=es}}</ref> Castillo's daily trek to and from school involved walking along steep cliffside paths for two hours.<ref name="Quesada 2021" /><ref name=":26">{{Cite web|last=Samon Ros|first=Carla|date=5 June 2021|title=Las humildes raíces del campesino que aspira a la presidencia del Perú|url=https://www.efe.com/efe/america/politica/las-humildes-raices-del-campesino-que-aspira-a-la-presidencia-peru/20000035-4554697 |access-date=27 June 2021|website=EFE|language=es}}</ref>
{{quote box | quote = "It was a great accomplishment for me to finish high school, which I did thanks to the help of my parents and my brothers and sisters. I continued my education, doing what I could to earn a living. I worked in the coffee fields. I came to Lima to sell newspapers. I sold ice cream. I cleaned toilets in hotels. I saw the harsh reality for workers in the countryside and the city." | author = — Pedro Castillo, June 2021<ref name=":28"/> | align = right | width = 250px }}
As a teenager and young adult, Castillo traveled throughout Peru to earn funds for his studies.<ref name="Quesada 2021" /><ref name=":27">{{Cite news|date=10 June 2021|title=Pedro Castillo is on the verge of becoming Peru's president|newspaper=The Economist|url=https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2021/06/10/pedro-castillo-is-on-the-verge-of-becoming-perus-president|access-date=24 June 2021|issn=0013-0613}}</ref> Beginning at the age of twelve, each year he and his father walked {{Convert|140|km|mi}} for seasonal work in the coffee plantations of the Peruvian Amazonia.<ref name=":25" /><ref name=":26" /> Castillo also claims to have sold ice cream and newspapers and cleaned hotels in Lima.<ref name=":28">{{cite web |last=Castillo |first=Pedro |date=24 June 2021 |title=Peru's Socialist President-Elect, Pedro Castillo, in His Own Words |url=https://jacobinmag.com/2021/06/peru-pedro-castillo-human-rights-constitution-state-corruption |access-date=27 June 2021 |website=Jacobin}}</ref> He studied Primary Education at the Octavio Carrera Education Institute of Superior Studies and gained a master's degree in Educational Psychology from the César Vallejo University.<ref name=":4" />
During the internal conflict in Peru that began in the 1980s, Castillo worked in his youth as a patrolman of ''Rondas campesinas'' to defend against the Shining Path.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|title=Pedro Castillo: Habrá minería "donde la naturaleza y la población la permitan"|url=https://energiminas.com/pedro-castillo-habra-mineria-donde-la-naturaleza-y-la-poblacion-la-permitan/|access-date=13 April 2021|website=Energiminas|language=es|archive-date=14 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414175612/https://energiminas.com/pedro-castillo-habra-mineria-donde-la-naturaleza-y-la-poblacion-la-permitan/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web|last=Acosta|first=Sebastián|date=8 April 2021|title=Pedro Castillo cerró su campaña con un mitin en la Plaza Dos de Mayo|url=https://rpp.pe/politica/elecciones/pedro-castillo-cerro-su-campana-con-un-mitin-ante-cientos-de-personas-en-la-plaza-dos-de-mayo-noticia-1330508 |access-date=13 April 2021|website=RPP|language=es}}</ref><ref name=":202">{{Cite web|date=3 June 2021|title=Inequality fuels rural teacher's unlikely bid to upend Peru|url=https://batimes.com.ar/news/latin-america/inequality-fuels-a-rural-teachers-unlikely-bid-to-upend-peru.phtml |access-date=4 June 2021|website=Buenos Aires Times|publisher=Bloomberg}}</ref>
From 1995, Castillo worked as a primary school teacher and principal at School 10465 in the town of Puña, Chota.<ref name=":3"/><ref name=":4"/> In addition to teaching, he was responsible for cooking for his students and cleaning their classroom.<ref name=":12"/> According to Castillo, the community constructed the school after receiving no government assistance.<ref name=":28" />{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable (WP:NOTRS).|date=November 2023}} Rural teaching in Peru is poorly paid but highly respected and influential within local communities, which led Castillo to become involved with teachers' unions.<ref name=":26" />{{sfn|Asensio|Camacho|González|Grompone|2021|pp=27–71}} With his working background as a patrolman for ''Rondas campesinas'' and being a schoolteacher, two of the most respected jobs in Peruvian society, Castillo was able to establish a high level of political support.{{sfn|Asensio|Camacho|González|Grompone|2021|pp=27–71}}
==Early political career== In 2002, Castillo unsuccessfully ran for the mayorship of Anguía as the representative of Alejandro Toledo's centre-left party Possible Peru.<ref name="Quesada 2021" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rpp.pe/politica/elecciones/elecciones-2021-pedro-castillo-el-dirigente-magisterial-que-busca-hacerse-un-lugar-desde-la-izquierda-perfil-el-poder-en-tus-manos-noticia-1308612|title=Elecciones 2021: Pedro Castillo, el dirigente magisterial que busca hacerse un lugar desde la izquierda [Perfil] El Poder en tus Manos|access-date=3 February 2021|last=Pajares Herrada|first=Diego |date=23 December 2020|website=rpp.pe|language=es}}</ref> He served as a leading member of the party in Cajamarca from 2005 until the party's dissolution in 2017 following its poor results in the 2016 Peruvian general election.<ref name="Quesada 2021" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://canaln.pe/actualidad/elecciones-2021-conoce-pedro-castillo-candidato-presidencia-peru-libre-n431189|title=Elecciones 2021: Conoce a Pedro Castillo, candidato a la presidencia por Perú Libre|access-date=11 February 2021|website=canaln.pe|date=10 February 2021 |language=es}}</ref> Following his leadership during the teachers' strike, numerous political parties in Peru approached Castillo to promote him as a congressional candidate, though he refused and instead decided to run for the presidency after encouragement from unions.<ref name=":25" />
===2017 teachers' strike=== In an interview with the Associated Press, Castillo said that his motivation for entering politics was seeing his students arrive to school hungry without any benefits while, at the same time, Peru experienced economic growth from mineral wealth.<ref name=":25" /> Castillo became a teachers' union leader during the {{ill|2017 Peru teachers' strike|es|Huelga_magisterial_del_Perú_de_2017}}, which sought to increase salaries, pay off local government debt, repeal the Law of the Public Teacher Career and increase the education budget.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://larepublica.pe/sociedad/892250-cusco-sute-anuncia-medidas-extremas-si-gobierno-no-atiende-sus-reclamos/|title=Cusco: Sute anuncia medidas extremas si gobierno no atiende sus reclamos|access-date=11 February 2021 |date=3 July 2017|website=larepublica.pe|language=es}}</ref> At the time, the Peruvian government sought to replace a system of career teachers with temporary unskilled educators.<ref name=":62">{{Cite web|last=Migus|first=Romain|date=1 September 2021|title=Can Pedro Castillo unite Peru?|url=https://mondediplo.com/2021/09/11peru |access-date=15 September 2021|website=Le Monde diplomatique}}</ref> The strikes spread through southern Peru; due to their longevity, Minister of Education Marilú Martens, Prime Minister Fernando Zavala, and other government officials jointly announced a package of salary increases and debt relief, though the teachers remained on strike.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Fernández Calvo |first1=Lourdes |url=https://elcomercio.pe/peru/minedu-huelga-maestros-tuvo-mayor-impacto-cinco-regiones-442069-noticia/|title=Minedu: huelga de maestros tuvo mayor impacto solo en cinco regiones|access-date=11 February 2021|date=13 July 2017|website=El Comercio Perú|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rpp.pe/politica/gobierno/martens-hemos-logrado-adelantar-el-aumento-salarial-a-s-2000-para-diciembre-noticia-1068373|title=Martens: "Hemos logrado adelantar el aumento salarial a S/2,000 para diciembre"|access-date=11 February 2021|last=Acosta|first=Sebastián|date=3 August 2017|website=RPP|language=es}}</ref>
President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski offered to mediate, inviting the teachers' delegates to meet at the Government Palace to reach a solution; only the leaders of the union's executive committee and its Cuzco leaders were received while representatives of the regions led by Castillo were excluded.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/mininter-pedro-castillo-conare-cercano-movadef-presentaran-pruebas-congreso-141822-noticia/|title=Mininter: Pedro Castillo del Conare es cercano al Movadef y se presentarán pruebas en el Congreso|access-date=11 February 2021|date=17 August 2017|website=Gestión|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/vinculo-pedro-castillo-movadef-carlos-basombrio-noticia-noticia-451991-noticia/|title=¿Cuál es el vínculo de Pedro Castillo con el Movadef, según Carlos Basombrío?|access-date=11 February 2021|date=22 August 2017|newspaper=El Comercio|language=es}}</ref> The strike consequently worsened as teachers from across Peru travelled to Lima to hold marches and rallies in the capital.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://la-plaza.net/laplaza/huelga-maestros-descuentos-despidos-la-huelga-continua/|title=Huelga de Maestros: Con descuentos o despidos, la huelga continúa|access-date=11 February 2021|last=Benavides|first=Alan|date=6 August 2017|website=La Plaza|language=es}}</ref> Keiko Fujimori and her Fujimorist supporters, who were opponents of the Kuczynski administration, assisted Castillo with the strike in an effort to destabilize the president's government.<ref name=":26" />
On 24 August 2017, the government issued a supreme decree making official the benefits agreed in negotiations,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/1077944-huelga-de-profesores-conoce-los-nuevos-beneficios-oficializados-para-los-docentes/|title=Huelga de profesores: conoce los nuevos beneficios oficializados para los docentes|access-date=11 February 2021 |date=23 August 2017|website=larepublica.pe|language=es}}</ref> issuing a warning that if teachers did not return to their classrooms by 28 August, they would be fired and replaced.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/marilu-martens-ratifica-continuara-contratacion-nuevos-maestros-noticia-453312-noticia/|title=Marilú Martens ratifica que continuará contratación de nuevos maestros|access-date=11 February 2021|date=26 August 2017|newspaper=El Comercio|language=es}}</ref> On 2 September 2017, Castillo announced a suspension of the strike; he said it was only a temporary suspension.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/1272048-sector-maestros-grupo-castillo-levanta-huelga/|title=Pedro Castillo anuncia el fin de la huelga de profesores|access-date=11 February 2021|date=3 July 2018|website=larepublica.pe|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/huelga-docentes-suspendida-temporalmente-noticia-455167-noticia/|title=Huelga de docentes fue suspendida temporalmente|access-date=11 February 2021|date=2 September 2017|newspaper=El Comercio|language=es}}</ref>
==2021 presidential election== {{main|2021 Peruvian general election}}
The 2021 presidential elections occurred amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru and a political crisis in the nation that continued during the election.{{sfn|Asensio|Camacho|González|Grompone|2021|pp=13–24}} These crises created multiple political currents that eventually consolidated into a growing political polarization among Peruvians.{{sfn|Asensio|Camacho|González|Grompone|2021|pp=13–24}}
===First round=== Initial discussions between former Governor of Junín, Vladimir Cerrón of Free Peru, and Verónika Mendoza of Together for Peru, recommended a leftist coalition to support a single presidential candidate in the 2021 general election. Mendoza's advisors argued that Cerrón's beliefs were too radical and of an antiquated left wing ideology.{{sfn|Asensio|Camacho|González|Grompone|2021|p=40}} Mendoza's camp also raised concerns about Cerrón's alleged homophobic and xenophobic rhetoric.{{sfn|Asensio|Camacho|González|Grompone|2021|p=40}} In October 2020, Castillo announced his presidential bid, running as the candidate of Free Peru, and formally attained the nomination on 6 December 2020. His ticket included attorney Dina Boluarte and Vladimir Cerrón; Cerrón was later disqualified by the National Jury of Elections due to a corruption conviction.<ref name=":5"/>
Pedro Castillo was chosen by a national assembly of teachers' representatives to be their candidate for the presidential election of 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic and the lack of financial resources led them to give up building a political party. Approached by several small parties, he chose Free Peru (Perú Libre, PL), of which he was not a member at the time.<ref name=":43">{{Cite web |last=Stefanoni |first=Pablo |date=2023-03-08 |title="Que se vayan todos", otra vez, en Perú |url=https://www.cetri.be/Que-se-vayan-todos-otra-vez-en |access-date=2023-03-08 |website=CETRI |language=es}}</ref>
During the first part of the campaign, unknown to most Peruvians, Pedro Castillo was very low in the polls and received very little media coverage. His campaign accelerated from March, when he crossed the threshold of 5% of voting intentions.<ref name=":43" />
Castillo cited the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on his students as a motivation for his presidential run.<ref name=":12"/> In response to the pandemic, President Martín Vizcarra initiated COVID-19 lockdowns in Peru, inhibiting trade and travel to rural Peru.{{sfn|Asensio|Camacho|González|Grompone|2021|pp=27–71}} As a result of the lockdowns, individuals in rural regions felt an increased sense of abandonment from the national government, with political groups in these regions beginning to act autonomously and experiencing growth in their legitimacy.{{sfn|Asensio|Camacho|González|Grompone|2021|pp=27–71}} Castillo told the Associated Press that he had attempted to continue teaching his students through the lockdowns, but the impoverished local community did not have the resources required for remote learning; almost none of his students had access to a cell phone, and educational tablets promised by the government never arrived.<ref name=":12" /> Using this experience of abandonment and distrust of the national government established in urban Lima, Castillo had a genuine ability to relate to rural voters and used his knowledge of their issues to establish support.{{sfn|Asensio|Camacho|González|Grompone|2021|pp=27–71}}
He campaigned for a constitutional reform (he believes that the current Constitution of Peru, promulgated in 1993 under President Alberto Fujimori, is responsible for the economic inequalities of the country because it consecrates a free market model), a restructuring of the pension system and the nationalization of the gas industry. His program was based on three main themes: health, education and agriculture, which he intended to strengthen to stimulate the country's development. He enjoyed a certain image of probity, as he was one of eight candidates (out of 18) who had not been cited in any case in a country where political corruption is high.{{promotion inline|date=November 2025}}{{citation needed|date=November 2025}} Castillo said he would pardon Antauro Humala, a member of the Ethnocacerist movement and brother of former President Ollanta Humala who was sentenced to nineteen years in prison after leading the capture of a police station in Andahuaylas that had resulted in the deaths of four policemen and one gunman.<ref>{{Cite web|date=12 April 2021|title=Pedro Castillo asegura que indultará a Antauro Humala si es elegido presidente|url=https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/pedro-castillo-asegura-que-indultara-a-antauro-humala-si-es-elegido-presidente-noticia/ |access-date=13 April 2021|website=Gestión|language=es}}</ref><ref name="bbcmundo">{{cite news|date=4 January 2005|title=Perú: insurgentes se rinden|language=Spanish|trans-title=Peru: insurgents surrender|publisher=BBC News|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/latin_america/newsid_4144000/4144497.stm|access-date=16 May 2011}}</ref> At the conclusion of his initial campaign ahead of the first round of voting, Castillo held a rally in the Historic Centre of Lima, beginning at the Plaza San Martín before leading a march on horseback to the Plaza Dos de Mayo, where hundreds of supporters gathered.<ref name=":6" /> At the event, he told attendees that if elected, the citizens would supervise his policies, he would only receive the salary of a teacher, and sought to reduce the pay of congress and ministers by half.<ref name=":6" />
Trailing throughout the entire campaign, his polling surged during the last weeks of the campaign and on election day, Castillo secured 18% of the vote in the first round, putting him in first place among 18 candidates. His success was attributed to his focus on the large difference of living standards between Lima and rural Peru, leading to strong support in rural provinces.<ref>{{cite web|last=O'Boyle|first=Brendan|date=3 May 2021|title=Pedro Castillo and the 500-Year-Old Lima vs Rural Divide|url=https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/pedro-castillo-and-the-500-year-old-lima-vs-rural-divide/ |access-date=3 June 2021|website=Americas Quarterly}}</ref> He faced the second-place candidate, Keiko Fujimori, who had also finished second place in the 2011 and 2016 general elections, in the second round of voting.<ref>{{cite news|date=12 April 2021|title=Peru faces polarizing presidential runoff as teacher takes voters by surprise|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/12/peru-presidential-runoff-pedro-castillo-keiko-fujimori|access-date=13 April 2021|newspaper=The Guardian|first=Dan|last=Collyns}}</ref>
After his victory in the first round, Castillo called for Peruvian political forces, including trade unions and Ronda Campesinas, to establish a political agreement, though he declined to make a roadmap similar that of Ollanta Humala during the 2016 general election.<ref>{{cite news|title=Candidato más votado en Perú ofrece dialogar con otros partidos|date=14 April 2021|url=https://www.dw.com/es/candidato-m%C3%A1s-votado-en-per%C3%BA-ofrece-dialogar-con-otros-partidos/a-57191653|access-date=11 May 2021|publisher=Deutsche Welle|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=14 April 2021|title=Pedro Castillo descartó la posibilidad de una hoja de ruta para la segunda vuelta nndc|url=https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/pedro-castillo-descarto-la-posibilidad-de-una-hoja-de-ruta-para-la-segunda-vuelta-nndc-noticia/|access-date=11 May 2021|website=Gestión|language=es}}</ref> He established a political alliance with the left-wing former presidential candidate Verónika Mendoza in May 2021, earning her support for his campaign.<ref name=":18">{{Cite web|date=5 May 2021|title=Pedro Castillo y Verónika Mendoza firman acuerdo de respaldo para la segunda vuelta Elecciones 2021 Perú Libre Juntos por el Perú nndc|url=https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/pedro-castillo-y-veronika-mendoza-firman-acuerdo-de-respaldo-para-la-segunda-vuelta-elecciones-2021-peru-libre-juntos-por-el-peru-nndc-noticia/|access-date=3 June 2021|website=Gestión|language=es}}</ref><ref name=":192">{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Nicolas |date=1 June 2021 |title=Pedro Castillo Can Help End Neoliberalism in Peru |url=https://jacobinmag.com/2021/06/pedro-castillo-peru-libre-keiko-fujimori-runoff-election-june-6-neoliberalism |access-date=3 June 2021 |website=Jacobin}}</ref>
===Second round=== thumb|Ballot paper for the second round between Castillo and Fujimori Approaching the second round of presidential elections, it became apparent that Castillo's policy proposals would be unlikely to be enacted as president and that he would be vulnerable to Congress; the newly elected Congress of Peru was dominated by opposition parties, with his party holding only 37 of the 130 seats in congress.<ref name=":12"/><ref name=":153">{{Cite news|date=17 April 2021|title=Either way, it's bad news; Bello|pages=31|newspaper=The Economist}}</ref>
While campaigning, Castillo was insulted on multiple occasions by individuals likening him to Nicolás Maduro, president of Venezuela,<ref>{{Cite web|date=23 April 2021|title=Pedro Castillo: abuchean a candidato de Perú Libre durante paseo proselitista en Mesa Redonda|url=https://diariocorreo.pe/miscelanea/pedro-castillo-abuchean-a-candidato-de-peru-libre-durante-paseo-proselitista-en-mesa-redonda-video-nczp-noticia/|access-date=26 May 2021|website=Correo|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=23 April 2021|title=Pedro Castillo fue abucheado durante su paso por Mesa Redonda|url=https://lucidez.pe/pedro-castillo-fue-abucheado-durante-su-paso-por-mesa-redonda/|access-date=26 May 2021|website=Lucidez.pe|language=es|archive-date=27 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427185229/https://lucidez.pe/pedro-castillo-fue-abucheado-durante-su-paso-por-mesa-redonda/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=23 April 2021|title=Pedro Castillo es abucheado en Trujillo: 'No somos comunistas'|url=https://elbocon.pe/trends/elecciones-pedro-castillo-es-abucheado-en-trujillo-no-somos-comunistas-video-elecciones-presidenciales-del-peru-noticia/|access-date=26 May 2021|website=El Bocón|language=es}}</ref> while Free Peru reported that he also received anonymous death threats.<ref>{{Cite web|date=29 April 2021|title=Perú Libre denuncia amenazas de muerte contra el candidato presidencial Pedro Castillo|url=https://www.europapress.es/internacional/noticia-peru-libre-denuncia-amenazas-muerte-contra-candidato-presidencial-pedro-castillo-20210429212330.html|access-date=26 May 2021|website=Europa Press|language=es}}</ref> Third-place candidate Rafael López Aliaga issued death threats during a demonstration against Castillo, shouting: "Death to communism! Death to Cerrón! Death to Castillo!"<ref>{{Cite web|date=9 May 2021|title=Excandidato peruano amenazó de muerte a Pedro Castillo y es denunciado penalmente|url=https://www.eluniverso.com/noticias/internacional/excandidato-peruano-amenazo-de-muerte-a-pedro-castillo-y-es-denunciado-penalmente-nota/|access-date=26 May 2021|website=El Universo|language=es}}</ref> Castillo was also criticized for his debate performance, with critics raising questions on whether he understood governmental functions.{{sfn|Asensio|Camacho|González|Grompone|2021|pp=69–71}}
Castillo ultimately won the election, handing Fujimori her third consecutive defeat in a presidential election.<ref name=":31" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Peru has a new president, its fifth in five years – who is Pedro Castillo? {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/story/peru-has-a-new-president-its-fifth-in-five-years-who-is-pedro-castillo |access-date=6 September 2022 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref>
===Reactions=== Many observers described the second round of the presidential election as being a choice between the lesser of two evils.<ref name="FT-4Jun"/> The transfer of the presidency to Castillo was described by the Institute of Peruvian Studies as "strengthening the current Peruvian democratic regime," as the process was peaceful and contributed to a "more prolonged democratic stability" in Peru in the early 21st century.{{sfn|Asensio|Camacho|González|Grompone|2021|pp=13–21}} ''The New York Times'' reported his victory as the "clearest repudiation of the country's establishment,"<ref name="Taj & Turkewitz 2021">{{cite news|last1=Taj|first1=Mitra|last2=Turkewitz|first2=Julie|date=19 July 2021|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/19/world/americas/peru-election-pedro-castillo.html|title=Pedro Castillo, Leftist Political Outsider, Wins Peru Presidency|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=25 June 2022}}</ref> and the ''Financial Times'' described him as "a hope for the poor," amid concerns among the establishment and the elite, which resulted in capital flight, in a country that was hit the most by the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to excess mortality, with an economy in recession, collapsed healthcare, a series of corruption scandals, and one third of Peruvians living in poverty.<ref name="FT-4Jun">{{cite news |last=Scott |first=Michael |title=Pánico entre los empresarios de Perú ante posible victoria de la ultra izquierda |trans-title=Panic among Peruvian businessmen before a possible victory of the far-left |url=https://www.cronista.com/financial-times/panico-entre-los-empresarios-de-peru-ante-posible-victoria-de-la-ultra-izquierda/ |access-date=4 June 2021 |work=Financial Times |date=2 June 2021 |language=es}}</ref>
Following Castillo's surprising success in the first round of elections, the S&P/BVL Peru General Index fell by 3.2% and the Peruvian sol saw its value drop 1.7%, its biggest loss since December 2017 during the first impeachment process against Pedro Pablo Kuczynski;<ref name=":8">{{Cite news|date=11 April 2021|title=Peru Stocks Tumble as Presidential Vote Spooks Investors|work=Bloomberg News|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-04-11/peruvians-vote-for-president-after-months-of-chaos-and-scandal|access-date=13 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Arnold|first1=Tom|last2=Cervantes|first2=Maria|last3=Jones|first3=Marc|date=12 April 2021|title=Update 2-Socialist surge in election spooks Peru's financial markets|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/peru-election-markets-idUSL1N2M51FN|access-date=13 April 2021}}</ref> in the week before the run-off vote, the sol continued to post historical lows against the U.S. dollar.<ref name="FT-4Jun"/> An economist told the ''Financial Times'' that they had not seen such a serious capital flight in two decades.<ref name="FT-4Jun" /> Optimistic observers felt that Castillo would moderate his views, citing former president Ollanta Humala as an example. Pedro Francke, a university professor of economics, rejected comparisons of his style of leadership to those seen in Cuba or Venezuela, and instead suggested that his governing style would be more similar to that of leftist leaders like Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Evo Morales,<ref name="FT-4Jun" /> and José Mujica. Daniel Rico of RBC Capital Markets credited Francke with calming markets fears of Castillo, who was characterized by opponents as a far-left politician.<ref>{{cite web|date=4 June 2021|title=Peru Leftist's Aide Rejects Hugo Chavez Comparison: 'No Way'|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-06-04/peru-s-presidential-frontrunner-is-no-hugo-chavez-top-aide-says|access-date=26 June 2022|website=Bloomberg News}}</ref>
Most regional leaders and some in Europe, such as Pedro Sánchez of Spain, extended congratulations and wished Castillo the best on being the president of the bicentennial of Peru.<ref>{{cite news|date=20 July 2021|title=Líderes políticos reaccionan a la proclamación de Pedro Castillo como presidente electo de Perú|language=Spanish|trans-title=Political leaders react to the proclamation of Pedro Castillo as president-elect of Peru|work=CNN|agency=CNN en Español|url=https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/2021/07/20/pedro-castillo-peru-presidente-reacciones-orix/|access-date=20 July 2021}}</ref> Lula da Silva, leftist former president of Brazil, congratulated him and said that Castillo had struck a blow to conservatism in the region, saying that "the result of the Peruvian polls is symbolic and represents another advance in the popular struggle in our dear Latin America."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Peru's Pedro Castillo closes in on victory in presidential election |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/perus-pedro-castillo-closes-victory-presidential-election-rcna1173 |access-date=2022-12-08 |website=NBC News |date=10 June 2021 |language=en}}</ref> Like Lula, Morales, the former president of Bolivia, congratulated Castillo, stating that Castillo "won with our proposal" and that he had spoken to him on the phone previously.<ref>{{cite web|author=Agence France-Presse|date=13 April 2021|title=Evo Morales felicita victoria de Pedro Castillo: 'Ganó con nuestra propuesta'|url=https://gestion.pe/mundo/pedro-castillo-gano-con-nuestra-propuesta-evo-morales-destaca-triunfo-de-la-izquierda-en-peru-elecciones-2021-nndc-noticia/ |access-date=13 April 2021|website=Gestión|language=es}}</ref> Mujica, the former Uruguayan president, also shared approval of Castillo's success in the first round of elections, warning Castillo to "not fall into authoritarianism," while participating in a Facebook live video call with him.<ref name=":13">{{Cite web|date=22 April 2021|title=Candidato peruano marca distancia de gobierno de Venezuela|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/espanol/sns-es-candidato-peruano-marca-distancia-de-gobierno-de-venezuela-20210422-7fbhxfht2vhizbozgipsznqxhm-story.html |access-date=23 April 2021|website=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=6 June 2021|title=2 polarizing populists vie in Peru's presidential runoff|url=https://apnews.com/article/latin-america-peru-coronavirus-pandemic-health-business-a2f8971574f655607d06977aa059ec16 |access-date=7 June 2021|website=Associated Press}}</ref> Colombian president Iván Duque and Ecuadorian president Guillermo Lasso congratulated Castillo on his victory.<ref>{{cite web|date=19 July 2021|title=Presidentes de Colombia, Ecuador y Bolivia felicitan a Pedro Castillo por proclamación|url=https://andina.pe/agencia/noticia-presidentes-colombia-ecuador-y-bolivia-felicitan-a-pedro-castillo-proclamacion-853959.aspx |access-date=20 July 2021|website=Andina|language=es}}</ref>
== Presidency (2021–2022) == {{main|Presidency of Pedro Castillo}}
thumb|Castillo speaking during his inaugural address Castillo was officially designated as president-elect of Peru on 19 July 2021, only a week before he was to be inaugurated.<ref name="Taj & Turkewitz 2021"/> Days before his designation, Castillo and his economic advisor Pedro Francke met with Ambassador Liang Yu at the Chinese embassy in Peru to discuss a more rapid introduction of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines in Peru.<ref>{{cite news|date=16 July 2021|title=Peru's Castillo strengthens ties with China, asks for faster vaccine supply|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/perus-castillo-strengthens-ties-with-china-asks-faster-vaccine-supply-2021-07-16/ |access-date=20 July 2021|publisher=Reuters}}</ref> The majority of ministers chosen by Castillo were from interior regions in contrast to previous governments where most ministers originated from Lima.<ref name=":15">{{cite web|title=In Peru, the Knives Are Already Out for Pedro Castillo|url=https://jacobinmag.com/2021/09/peruvian-politics-pedro-castillo-peru-libre-party-cabinet-inauguration-congress-legislature-appointments |access-date=20 September 2021|website=Jacobin}}</ref> Ministers were mainly from allied leftist and independent organizations, while three ministers were from Free Peru and another three were previous teachers close to Castillo.<ref name=":15" />
Castillo and his government's political experience and direction had been described as being unclear by observers,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Long|first=Gideon|date=1 February 2022|title=Peruvian finance minister quits amid government chaos|work=Financial Times|url=https://www.ft.com/content/f76de6b3-48f6-4f37-a0fe-f3b113dd028e|access-date=3 February 2022}}</ref><ref name=":19">{{Cite web |last1=Moncada |first1=Andrea |date=2 February 2022 |title=What to Make of Peru's Latest Crisis Under Castillo |url=https://americasquarterly.org/article/what-to-make-of-perus-latest-crisis-under-castillo/ |access-date=3 February 2022 |website=Americas Quarterly}}</ref> as he lacked notable political experience prior to his election.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Peru swears in new President Pedro Castillo|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/28/peru-swears-in-new-president-pedro-castillo|access-date=3 February 2022|website=Al Jazeera}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Moncada|first=Andrea|date=2 August 2021|title=Is Pedro Castillo's Presidency Already Doomed?|url=https://americasquarterly.org/article/is-pedro-castillos-presidency-already-doomed/|access-date=3 February 2022|website=Americas Quarterly}}</ref> In little more than the first six months of his government, four different cabinets were selected after being dissolved following numerous corruption controversies affecting Castillo and his close advisors.<ref name=":37">{{Cite web |date=8 February 2022 |title=El peor arranque de un gobierno en los últimos años: ningún presidente nombró tantos PCM en sus primeros 6 meses de gestión |trans-title=The worst start of a government in recent years: no president has appointed so many prime ministers in his first 6 months in office. |url=https://rpp.pe/politica/gobierno/pedro-castillo-y-el-peor-arranque-de-un-gobierno-en-los-ultimos-anos-ningun-presidente-nombro-tantos-pcm-en-sus-primeros-6-meses-de-gestion-noticia-1385335 |access-date= |website=RPP |language=es}}</ref><ref name=":19" /> According to political analyst Gianfranco Vigo, the Castillo administration "is governed not so much by knowledge but rather by closeness."<ref name=":37" /> Castillo responded to criticism of his experience in an interview with CNN, saying that governing was "a learning process" and he was not "trained to be president," explaining that he did not study abroad by choosing to stay "for the country, for the people."<ref name=":36">{{Cite web|date=25 January 2022|title=Pedro Castillo: No soy un político. No fui entrenado para ser presidente|url=https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/2022/01/24/pedro-castillo-entrevista-orix/|access-date=3 February 2022|website=CNN|language=es}}</ref> He also stated during the interview that Free Peru leader Vladimir Cerrón had "no influence on cabinet appointments."<ref name=":36" /> Referring to Castillo's government, political scientist Paula Távara of the National University of San Marcos said it has not shown "any clear direction" and "has not yet tackled any of the promised political projects... Instead it is sinking into chaos, with new ministers constantly being appointed with no qualifications other than their party membership. Posts are distributed on a whim to forge political alliances."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Peru: Regierungskrise nach nur sieben Monaten im Amt|url=https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/amerika/peru-regierungskrise-101.html|access-date=15 February 2022|website=tagesschau.de|language=de}}</ref>
In April 2022, Free Peru drafted a bill calling for general elections in 2023 to elect a new president and Congress.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rochabrun |first=Marcelo |date=29 April 2022 |title=Peru's ruling party turns on Castillo; calls for president to step down in 2023 |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/perus-ruling-party-turns-castillo-calls-president-step-down-2023-2022-04-29/ |access-date=2 May 2022}}</ref> By late 2022, Castillo aligned with right-wing groups in Congress, meeting with the conservative group Con mis hijos no te metas and various evangelical groups to push for laws preventing the teaching of gender studies and detailed sexual education in schools.<ref name=":44">{{Cite web |date=2022-08-12 |title=Las privilegiadas visitas de pastores evangélicos a congresistas y Palacio de Gobierno |url=https://wayka.pe/las-privilegiadas-visitas-de-pastores-evangelicos-a-congresistas-y-palacio-de-gobierno/ |access-date=2023-05-18 |website=Wayka |language=es}}</ref>
=== Domestic policy === thumb|Pedro Castillo in 2021 According to Farid Kahhat of the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, Castillo's economic policy was created in collaboration with Verónika Mendoza, utilizing New Peru economists who had an established history of holding public office.<ref name=":192" /> His first Minister of Economy and Finance was Pedro Francke, a former World Bank and Central Reserve Bank of Peru economist who assisted Castillo with moderating his policies.<ref name=":110">{{Cite web|date=4 June 2021|title=Peru Leftist's Aide Rejects Hugo Chavez Comparison: 'No Way'|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-06-04/peru-s-presidential-frontrunner-is-no-hugo-chavez-top-aide-says |access-date=7 June 2021|website=Bloomberg News}}</ref><ref name=":23">{{Cite web|date=3 June 2021|title=Las medidas que plantea Pedro Francke|url=https://gestion.pe/economia/las-medidas-que-plantea-pedro-francke-noticia/|access-date=7 June 2021|website=Gestión|language=es}}</ref> Kahhat explained that Castillo proposed taxing windfall profits, describing these profits as "the product of good international prices and not the merit of the company itself."<ref name=":192" /> Upon taking office, Castillo also appointed feminist and pro-LGBT activist Anahí Durand as head of the Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Populations, with Prime Minister Guido Bellido releasing a statement promising to "beat racism, classism, machismo, and homophobia."<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1421433057236639749|user=pcmperu|title=#COMUNICADO El presidente del Consejo...|date=31 July 2021|access-date=25 June 2022}}</ref>
In September 2021, Castillo announced funding of 99 million soles (US$24 million) to provide food for impoverished families, stating, "We cannot understand that, despite having so much wealth in the country, it is not balanced with development."<ref>{{cite web|title=Peru: President announces US$24 million to be allocated to soup kitchens|url=https://andina.pe/ingles/noticia-peru-president-announces-24-million-to-be-allocated-to-soup-kitchens-861825.aspx |access-date=28 September 2021|website=Andina|date=15 September 2021 |language=es}}</ref> As announced during his campaign, he launched an agrarian reform in October 2021, which he promised would not involve expropriations.<ref name=":32" /> It included an industrialization plan for peasants to promote the development of agriculture, and intended to offer poor peasants fairer access to markets.<ref name=":32">{{Cite web|url=https://www.europapress.es/internacional/noticia-castillo-lanza-segunda-reforma-agraria-peru-remarca-no-busca-expropiar-tierras-afectar-derechos-20211004030637.html|title=Castillo lanza la segunda reforma agraria de Perú y remarca que no busca 'expropiar tierras ni afectar derechos'|date=4 October 2021|website=Europa Press|language=es}}</ref> Following the death of Abimael Guzmán, the founder of Shining Path, Castillo said his government's "condemnation of terrorism is firm" and he condemned Guzmán, saying he was "responsible for the loss of innumerable lives of our compatriots."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Moncada|first=Andrea|date=14 September 2021|title=An Unlikely Gift to Peru's President|url=https://americasquarterly.org/article/guzmans-death-an-unlikely-gift-to-perus-president/ |access-date=20 September 2021|website=Americas Quarterly}}</ref>
In November 2021, Castillo announced an increase in the minimum wage from 930 to 1,000 soles ($223 to $250), the sale of the presidential jet acquired in 1995, and a ban on first-class travel for all civil servants.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gestion.pe/economia/remuneracion-minima-vital-sueldo-pedro-castillo-anuncia-alza-del-sueldo-minimo-a-s-1000-desde-diciembre-para-trabajadores-formales-100-dias-de-gobierno-nndc-noticia/|title=Pedro Castillo anuncia alza del sueldo mínimo a S/ 1,000 para trabajadores formales|date=10 November 2021|website=Gestió|language=es|access-date=25 June 2022}}</ref> That month, the Central Reserve Bank of Peru reported that from July through September 2021, Peru's GDP grew by 11.4% and beat previous expectations, with Bloomberg News saying Peru experienced the fastest growing economy among Latin American nations at the time.<ref>{{Cite web|date=21 November 2021|title=Peru's Economy Grew 11.4% in Third Quarter|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-11-20/peru-s-economy-grew-11-4-in-third-quarter-topping-2019-level |access-date=24 November 2021|website=Bloomberg}}</ref> The International Monetary Fund supported tax increases on the mining sector, reporting in December 2021 that Peru could safely increase taxes since the country had "a tax burden that is lower or similar to other resource-rich countries."<ref>{{cite news|date=2 December 2021|title=Peru says IMF sees leeway to hike taxes on mining sector -finance ministry|publisher=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/peru-says-imf-sees-leeway-hike-taxes-mining-sector-finance-ministry-2021-12-02/|access-date=8 December 2021}}</ref>
After Castillo's acquittal of the second impeachment attempt against him in February 2022, global economic reverberations resulted from international sanctions during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine<ref name=":113">{{Cite web |date=5 April 2022 |title=Fuel protests prompt Lima curfew as Ukraine crisis touches South America |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/05/peru-lima-curfew-brazil-ukraine-fuel-fertiliser |access-date=6 April 2022 |website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=7 April 2022 |title=Peru protests show the wide impact of Putin's war |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/06/americas/peru-protests-russia-ukraine-war-impact-intl-latam/index.html |access-date=8 April 2022 |website=CNN|first1=Stefano|last1=Pozzebon|first2=Catherine E.|last2=Shoichet}}</ref> and inflation in Peru rose sharply,<ref name=":211">{{Cite web |last=Noriega |first=Carlos |date=4 April 2022 |title=Dura protesta en Perú por la suba de los precios |url=https://www.pagina12.com.ar/413153-castillo-ante-un-escenario-de-revuelta-social |access-date=5 April 2022 |website=Pagina 12}}</ref> prompting protests.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |date=4 April 2022|title=Perú aumenta salario mínimo tras protestas por alza de precios |url=https://es-us.finanzas.yahoo.com/noticias/per%C3%BA-aumenta-salario-m%C3%ADnimo-protestas-121906307.html |access-date=5 April 2022 |website=Yahoo! |language=es}}</ref><ref name=":103">{{Cite news |last=Rochabrun |first=Marcelo |date=6 April 2022 |title=Peru's Castillo lifts Lima curfew after widespread defiance, anger |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/peru-pm-says-lockdown-could-spread-beyond-capital-curb-fuel-protests-2022-04-05/ |access-date=6 April 2022}}</ref> By April 2022, the inflation rate in Peru rose to its highest level in 26 years, creating greater difficulties for the recently impoverished population.<ref name=":211"/> Inflation of basic goods, alongside increasing fertilizer and fuel prices as a result of the war, angered rural Peruvians and shifted them from their position of supporting Castillo to protesting his government.<ref name=":103"/><ref name=":113"/> According to ''Convoca'', UGTRANM leader Diez Villegas, the same individual who attempted to organize strikes in October 2021, called for a general strike of transportation workers for 4 April 2022.<ref name=":310">{{Cite web |title=Paro de transportistas: las claves de un conflicto que no pudo ser resuelto por el Gobierno |url=http://convoca.pe/agenda-propia/paro-de-transportistas-las-claves-de-un-conflicto-que-no-pudo-ser-resuelto-por-el |access-date=5 April 2022 |website=Convoca |language=es}}</ref> These strikes later expanded, culminating with the 2022 Peruvian protests.<ref name=":310"/>
=== Foreign policy === Héctor Béjar, the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, said that Peru would no longer support international sanctions during the Venezuelan crisis and did not clarify his position on recognizing Juan Guaidó as part of the Venezuelan presidential crisis.<ref name="herald">{{cite news|agency=EFE|date=2 August 2021|title=Perú, fundador del Grupo de Lima, cambia con Castillo postura sobre Venezuela|language=Spanish|trans-title=Peru, founder of the Lima Group, changes with Castillo position on Venezuela|work=El Nuevo Herald|url=https://www.elnuevoherald.com/noticias/mundo/america-latina/venezuela-es/article253200113.html|access-date=7 August 2021}}</ref> Béjar resigned on 17 August 2021, amid criticism from the opposition and some media over his statement that Peru's navy had been responsible for terrorist acts and that the CIA had created the Shining Path.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/peru-caribbean-754479aa79854c8a6c5f1a81f356097e|title=Peruvian foreign minister quits amid criticism for comments|date=17 August 2021|website=AP NEWS}}</ref> During his first Foreign Relations Commission with Congress, Castillo's second foreign minister Óscar Maúrtua said that Peru would remain a member of the Andean Community, the Pacific Alliance, and PROSUR, saying that Castillo's government held the "objective of achieving South American integration, for the benefit of our peoples," while also offering refuge to Afghan refugees following the Fall of Kabul.<ref>{{Cite news|date=7 September 2021|title=Peru's Foreign Policy is exercised at the service of peace, democracy and development|work=MENA Report|publisher=Al Bawaba}}</ref>
[[File:Intervención del presidente de la República, Pedro Castillo, en la Asamblea General de la ONU.jpg|left|thumb|Castillo speaking during the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly]] For his first international trips, Castillo traveled to Mexico on 17 September 2021 and later to the United States on 19 September.<ref>{{Cite web|date=19 September 2021|title=Pedro Castillo: protestan en exteriores de hotel donde se alojará en Washington nndc|url=https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/pedro-castillo-protestan-en-exteriores-de-hotel-donde-se-alojara-en-washington-nndc-noticia/|access-date=29 September 2021|website=Gestión|language=es}}</ref> During his tour in the United States, Castillo and economic minister Pedro Francke met with foreign investors, along with representatives from the United States Chamber of Commerce, Pfizer, and Microsoft.<ref name=":34" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=19 September 2021|title=Pedro Castillo se reúne con empresarios tras su llegada a Washington D.C.|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/pedro-castillo/2021/09/19/pedro-castillo-se-reune-con-empresarios-tras-su-llegada-a-washington-dc-estados-unidos/ |access-date=8 December 2021|website=La Republica|language=es}}</ref> Some of Peru's largest investors, such as Freeport-McMoRan and BHP, shared positive reactions of the Castillo government following their meetings.<ref name=":34">{{Cite news|last=Stott|first=Michael|date=26 September 2021|title=Peru's radical left government weighs bond issue after wooing investors|work=Financial Times|url=https://www.ft.com/content/e4aa95d9-f103-4309-84b4-ff16591063c0|access-date=29 September 2021}}</ref> Castillo later spoke at the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly on 21 September, proposing the creation of an international treaty signed by world leaders and pharmaceutical companies to guarantee universal vaccine access internationally, stating, "On behalf of Peru, I want to propose the signing of a global agreement between heads of state and patent owners to guarantee universal access to vaccines for all inhabitants, without discrimination or privileges, which would be a sign of our commitment to the health and lives of all peoples."<ref name=":16">{{Cite news|last=Psaledakis|first=Daphne|date=22 September 2021|title=Developing nations' plea to world's wealthy at U.N.: stop vaccine hoarding|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/developing-nations-plea-worlds-wealthy-un-stop-vaccine-hoarding-2021-09-22/|access-date=29 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Peru: President suggests global agreement at UN ensuring universal access to vaccines|url=https://andina.pe/ingles/noticia-peru-president-suggests-global-agreement-at-un-ensuring-universal-access-to-vaccines-862568.aspx |access-date=29 September 2021|website=Andina|date=21 September 2021 |language=es}}</ref> Castillo argued, "The battle against the pandemic has shown us the failure of the international community to cooperate under the principle of solidarity."<ref name=":16" />
During a January 2022 interview with CNN en Español, Castillo said that he would consult for a plebiscite in order to grant Bolivia access to the sea. Castillo's remarks received both positive and negative reactions in Peru.<ref>{{cite news |title=Peru's FM states Bolivia's access to the sea already provided for in treaty |url=https://en.mercopress.com/2022/01/27/peru-s-fm-states-bolivia-s-access-to-the-sea-already-provided-for-in-treaty |access-date=27 January 2022 |agency=MercoPress English |date=27 January 2022}}</ref> In June 2022, Castillo convened the leaders of different South American nations to treat the Venezuelan migrant crisis, with Peru being home to 1.3 million Venezuelans that fled following the crisis in Venezuela.<ref>{{cite news |title=Castillo convocó a otros cinco presidentes sudamericanos a una reunión sobre los migrantes |trans-title=Castillo convened five South American presidents to a meeting about migrants|url=https://www.telam.com.ar/notas/202206/595966-castillo-reunion-presidentes-sudamericanos-migrantes.html |access-date=20 June 2022 |agency=Télam |date=19 June 2022|language=es}}</ref>
According to Peruvian law, the president must have the authorization of Congress every time he wants to travel abroad, with the legislative body banning Castillo from participating in foreign affairs on multiple occasions. Congress banned Castillo from traveling to Colombia for the inauguration of the new president, Gustavo Petro, denied permission to travel to the Vatican to meet with the Pope, to Thailand for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, and to Mexico for a meeting of the Pacific Alliance in November 2022; the latter was cancelled and rescheduled for 14 December 2022 in Lima, though it never took place.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.eldebate.com/internacional/20220805/congreso-peru-impide-castillo-viajar-colombia-asistir-toma-posesion-petro.html | title=El Congreso de Perú impide a Castillo viajar a Colombia y asistir a la toma de posesión de Petro | date=5 August 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.europapress.es/internacional/noticia-congreso-peru-niega-castillo-permiso-viajar-mexico-si-le-deja-acudir-chile-20221118024633.html | title=El Congreso de Perú niega a Castillo el permiso para viajar a México aunque sí le deja acudir a Chile | date=18 November 2022 }}</ref>
=== Removal attempts === In October 2021, the website ''El Foco'' released recordings revealing that leaders of the manufacturing employers' organization National Society of Industries, the leader of the Union of Multimodal Transport Guilds of Peru (UGTRANM), Geovani Rafael Diez Villegas, political leaders, and other business executives planned various actions, including funding transportation strikes in November 2021, in order to destabilize the Castillo government and prompt his removal.<ref>Castillo, Maria Elena (24 October 2021).[https://larepublica.pe/politica/2021/10/20/sociedad-nacional-de-industrias-empresarios-coordinan-acciones-contra-pedro-castillo-vacancia-presidencial/ Empresarios tranzan acciones contra Pedro Castillo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207213605/https://larepublica.pe/politica/2021/10/20/sociedad-nacional-de-industrias-empresarios-coordinan-acciones-contra-pedro-castillo-vacancia-presidencial/ |date=7 February 2022 }} ''La República''. Retrieved 2021-11-24.</ref> Far-right groups of former soldiers also allied with political parties like Go on Country – Social Integration Party, Popular Force, and Popular Renewal in an effort to remove Castillo, with some veteran leaders seen directly with Rafael López Aliaga and Castillo's former presidential challenger Keiko Fujimori, who signed the ''Madrid Charter'' promoted by the Spanish far-right political party Vox.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-14 |title=Poderes no santos: alianzas de ultraderecha en Latinoamérica |url=https://ojo-publico.com/3165/poderes-no-santos-alianzas-de-ultraderecha-en-latinoamerica |access-date=2021-12-07 |website=OjoPúblico |language=es}}</ref><ref name=":33">{{Cite web|last=Cabral|first=Ernesto|date=12 January 2021|title=Militares en retiro con discursos extremistas se vinculan a políticos para apoyar la vacancia|url=https://ojo-publico.com/3207/militares-en-retiro-discursos-extremistas-y-apoyo-politico |access-date=8 December 2021|website=OjoPúblico|language=es}}</ref> These groups directed threats towards Castillo government officials and journalists, while also calling for a coup d'état and insurgency.<ref name=":33" /> OjoPúblico compared the veteran groups, such as the far-right neofascist La Resistencia Dios, Patria y Familia militant organization that was supported by Popular Force and Popular Renewal, to the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys of the United States, noting a possible threat of an event similar to the 2021 United States Capitol attack occurring in Peru.<ref name=":33" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-08-15 |title=Grupos de ultraderecha profundizan discursos de odio y la violencia en el Bicentenario |url=https://ojo-publico.com/2957/grupos-ultraderecha-difunden-discurso-odio-y-violencia |access-date=2023-05-24 |website=Ojo Público |language=es}}</ref> Hundreds of members of La Resistencia and Fujimorists had already attempted to storm the Government Palace in July 2021 in rejection of election results, though such groups were repelled by authorities.<ref name=":03">{{Cite web |date=2021-08-25 |title=La extrema derecha emerge en la crispada coyuntura política de Perú |url=https://www.publico.es/internacional/extrema-derecha-emerge-crispada-coyuntura-politica-peru.html |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=Público}}</ref><ref name=":52">{{Cite web |date=2021-07-18 |title=La Resistencia: la radiografía de un grupo violento |url=https://peru21.pe/politica/la-resistencia-la-radiografia-de-un-grupo-violento-noticia/ |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=Peru21 |language=es}}</ref><ref name=":312">{{Cite web |date=2021-11-05 |title=Perú: ultraderechismo y pedidos de "vacancia" a poco de iniciar el Gobierno de Pedro Castillo |url=https://www.france24.com/es/am%C3%A9rica-latina/20211105-peru-ultraderechismo-vacancia-polarizacion-castillo |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=France 24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-15 |title=Seguidores de Keiko Fujimori marchan a Palacio y atacan el coche de dos ministros con ellos dentro |url=https://www.elmundo.es/internacional/2021/07/15/60efa2aefdddffd0aa8b45db.html |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=El Mundo |language=es}}</ref>
Tensions with Congress, dominated by conservative parties, were particularly high. The legislative body attempted to remove Castillo multiple times, accusing him of corruption, though charges only went as far as preliminary investigations.<ref name=":42" /> Congress approved a law interpreting the constitution that restricted the executive's ability to dissolve Parliament, while Parliament retained the right to impeach the President. In December 2021, Congress passed a law stating that a referendum to convene a Constituent Assembly, one of Pedro Castillo's key promises during the presidential election, could not be held without a constitutional reform previously approved by Parliament. During a visit to the Spanish Parliament, the president of the Peruvian Congress, María del Carmen Alva, asked the deputies of the Popular Party to approve a declaration stating that "Peru has been captured by communism and that Pedro Castillo is a president without any legitimacy."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.infobae.com/america/peru/2021/12/11/congreso-guillermo-bermejo-presento-mocion-de-censura-contra-maricarmen-alva-presidenta-del-parlamento/ | title=Guillermo Bermejo presentó moción de censura contra Maricarmen Alva y la acusa de tener intenciones de desestabilizar el país|work=Infobae|date=13 December 2021|access-date=10 December 2022|language=es}}</ref>
==== November–December 2021 impeachment attempt ==== Presented in visitor documents as a lobbyist for the construction company Termirex, Karelim López met with Castillo's chief of staff Bruno Pacheco multiple times.<ref name=":115">{{Cite web |date=3 December 2021 |title=El sombrero sin cabeza |url=https://www.idl-reporteros.pe/el-sombrero-sin-cabeza/ |access-date=10 May 2022 |website=IDL Reporteros}}</ref> In November 2021, four months into his term, Keiko Fujimori announced that her party was pushing forward impeachment proceedings, arguing that Castillo was "morally unfit for office."<ref name=":17">{{Cite news|date=19 November 2021|title=Peru's Keiko Fujimori backs long-shot effort to impeach President Castillo|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/perus-keiko-fujimori-backs-long-shot-effort-impeach-president-castillo-2021-11-19/|access-date=20 November 2021}}</ref> That day, investigators raided the Government Palace during an influence peddling investigation and found that there was US$20,000 in Pacheco's office's bathroom.<ref name=":29">{{Cite news|date=24 November 2021|title=Peru's chief of staff stashed $20,000 in palace bathroom|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-59401139|access-date=27 November 2021}}</ref><ref name=":30">{{Cite web|date=26 November 2021|title=Peru opposition moves to impeach President Pedro Castillo|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/26/peru-opposition-moves-to-impeach-president-pedro-castillo |access-date=27 November 2021|website=Al Jazeera}}</ref> Pacheco said that the money was part of his savings and salary, though he resigned from his position in order to prevent the scandal from affecting Castillo.<ref name=":29" /> On 25 November, 28 legislators from Fujimori's party presented a signed motion of impeachment to congress, setting up a vote for opening impeachment proceedings against Castillo.<ref name=":30" /> A short time later, controversy arose when newspapers reported that Castillo had met with individuals at his former campaign headquarters in Breña without public record, a potential violation of a recently created, complicated set of transparency regulations.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Salazar Vega|first=Elizabeth|date=12 January 2021|title=Reuniones paralelas del presidente Castillo pueden derivar en investigaciones administrativas y penales|url=https://ojo-publico.com/3205/reuniones-del-presidente-en-brena-pueden-derivar-en-casos-penales |access-date=8 December 2021|website=OjoPúblico|language=es}}</ref> Lobbyist Karelim López also became entangled with the controversy in Breña after the company Terminex, whom she lobbied for, won the Tarata III Bridge Consortium contract worth 255.9 million soles.<ref name=":115"/><ref name=":311">{{Cite web |date=4 December 2021 |title=¿Cuál es la relación entre Karelim López y Karem Roca? |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2021/12/03/cual-es-la-relacion-entre-karelim-lopez-y-karem-roca-pedro-castillo-bruno-pacheco/ |access-date=10 May 2022 |website=La Republica |language=es}}</ref><ref name=":213">{{Cite web |date=9 December 2021 |title=Karelim López: ¿la afortunada vida de una lobista? |url=https://elbuho.pe/2021/12/karelim-lopez-la-afortunada-vida-de-una-lobista/ |access-date=10 May 2022 |website=El Búho |language=es}}</ref> Audio purportedly obtained at the residence and released by América Televisión were criticized and dismissed as a scam.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 December 2021|title=Juliana Oxenford arremete contra Cuarto Poder por "audio bomba": "No fue ni chispita mariposa"|url=https://larepublica.pe/espectaculos/2021/12/06/juliana-oxenford-sobre-audio-bomba-de-cuarto-poder-no-fue-ni-chispita-mariposa/ |access-date=8 December 2021|website=La Republica|language=es}}</ref> Castillo responded to the impeachment threat stating: "I am not worried about the political noise because the people have chosen me, not the mafias or the corrupt."<ref name=":30" /> The impeachment proceeding did not occur, as 76 voted against proceedings, 46 were in favor, and 4 abstained, with a requirement of 52 favoring proceedings not being obtained.<ref name=":35">{{Cite web |date=7 December 2021|title=Congreso no admite a debate moción de vacancia contra Pedro Castillo|url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2021/12/07/pedro-castillo-congreso-no-admite-a-debate-mocion-de-vacancia-presidencial-contra-el-presidente-de-la-republica-congreso-el-peru-patricia-chirinos/ |access-date=8 December 2021|website=La Republica|language=es}}</ref> Free Peru ultimately supported Castillo through the process and described the vote as an attempted right-wing coup.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Aquino|first=Marco|date=8 December 2021|title=Peru's Castillo fends off Congress impeachment vote amid protests|publisher=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/perus-castillo-braces-impeachment-vote-protests-brew-2021-12-07/|access-date=8 December 2021}}</ref> Castillo responded to the vote stating, "Brothers and sisters, let's end political crises and work together to achieve a just and supportive Peru."<ref name=":35" />
==== February 2022 impeachment and acquittal ==== In February 2022, it was reported that Fujimorists and politicians close to Fujimori organized a meeting at the Casa Andina hotel in Lima with the assistance of the German liberal group Friedrich Naumann Foundation, with those present including Maricarmen Alva, President of the Congress of the Republic of Peru, to discuss plans to remove President Castillo from office.<ref name=":022">{{Cite web |date=14 February 2022 |title=Fujimoristas detrás de encuentro sobre la vacancia |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2022/02/14/maria-del-carmen-alva-fujimoristas-detras-de-encuentro-sobre-la-vacancia-presidencial-keiko-fujimori/ |access-date=7 April 2022 |website=La Republica |language=es}}</ref> Alva had already shared her readiness to assume the presidency of Peru if Castillo were to be removed from the position and a leaked Telegram group chat of the Board of Directors of Congress that she headed revealed coordinated plans to oust Castillo.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 February 2022 |title=Alva sobre eventual asunción a la presidencia: 'Uno tiene que estar preparado para todo' |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2022/02/06/maria-del-carmen-alva-sobre-eventual-asuncion-a-la-presidencia-uno-tiene-que-estar-preparado-para-todo/ |access-date=7 April 2022 |website=La Republica |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=11 February 2022 |title=Congreso: miembros de la oposición sostuvieron reunión para vacar al presidente Pedro Castillo |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/2022/02/11/oposicion-parlamentaria-sostuvo-reunion-para-vacar-al-presidente-pedro-castillo/ |access-date=7 April 2022 |website=La Republica |language=es}}</ref> A second impeachment attempt related to corruption allegations did make it to proceedings in March 2022.<ref name=":40" /> On 28 March 2022, Castillo appeared before Congress calling the allegations baseless and for legislators to "vote for democracy" and "against instability," with 55 voting for impeachment, 54 voting against, and 19 abstaining, not reaching the 87 votes necessary for impeaching Castillo.<ref name=":40" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=28 March 2022 |title=Pleno del Congreso no aprueba moción de vacancia presidencial contra Pedro Castillo |url=https://rpp.pe/politica/congreso/pleno-del-congreso-rechazo-mocion-de-vacancia-presidencial-contra-pedro-castillo-noticia-1395967 |access-date=29 March 2022 |website=RPP |language=es}}</ref>
In July 2022, a fifth inquiry was launched into Castillo's alleged involvement in corruption.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://en.mercopress.com/2022/07/23/peru-case-against-castillo-reopened-despite-immunity | title=Peru: Case against Castillo reopened despite immunity|work= MercoPress|date=23 July 2022|access-date=23 September 2022}}</ref>
=== Self-coup attempt, removal from office and imprisonment === {{main|2022 Peruvian self-coup attempt}}
On 7 December 2022, hours before the Congress of Peru was scheduled to vote on a third impeachment motion against him, Castillo tried to institute an illegal self-coup; citing obstruction by Congress, he declared a national curfew, the dissolution of Congress, and the installation of a "government of exceptional emergency."<ref name=":41" /> Shortly after his announcement, a majority of Castillo's cabinet resigned, and the attempted dissolution was denounced as a coup by the Ombudsman of Peru.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pronunciamiento ante crisis política |url=https://www.defensoria.gob.pe/pronunciamiento46/ |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=Defensoria del Pueblo – Perú |language=es}}</ref> The Constitutional Court and First Vice President Dina Boluarte also called it a coup d'état attempt,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Spinetto |first1=Juan Pablo |title=Peru Constitutional Court Calls Castillo's Dissolution of Congress a Coup |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-12-07/peru-constitutional-court-calls-dissolution-of-congress-a-coup |access-date=8 December 2022 |website=Bloomberg|date=7 December 2022 }}</ref><ref name="collyns" /> one meant to obstruct the impeachment process.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Taj |first=Mitra |date=7 December 2022 |title=Peru's President, Facing Impeachment, Says He Will Dissolve Congress |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/07/world/americas/peru-pedro-castillo-coup.html |access-date=7 December 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Castillo was then impeached and removed from the presidency by the Congress of Peru later on 7 December, as scheduled. The impeachment passed with a majority 101 for and 6 against out of 130 votes. Boluarte, who had broken with Castillo after the announcement, ascended to the presidency.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tegel |first1=Simeon |last2=Durán |first2=Diana |title=Peru's congress impeaches president after he tries to dissolve it |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/12/07/castillo-dissolves-congress-peru/ |access-date=7 December 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=December 7, 2022}}</ref>
While dropping off his family at the Mexican embassy in Lima, members of the National Police of Peru who were driving Castillo feared that he was attempting to flee Peru and detained him.<ref name=":45">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-12-21 |title=Pedro Castillo: ¿qué le dijo Lilia Paredes tras su intento fallido de asilo en la embajada de México? |url=https://larepublica.pe/politica/pedro-castillo/2022/12/14/pedro-castillo-que-le-dijo-lilia-paredes-al-expresidente-tras-su-intento-fallido-de-asilo-en-la-embajada-de-mexico-golpe-de-estado-disolucion-del-congreso-noticias-hoy-atmp |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=La Republica |language=es}}</ref><ref name=":46">{{Cite web |last=Gestión |first=Redacción |date=2023-09-19 |title=Pedro Castillo sobre escape a la embajada de México con su familia: “Iba a volver” |url=https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/pedro-castillo-sobre-escape-a-la-embajada-de-mexico-con-su-familia-iba-a-volver-peru-libre-gobierno-dina-boluarte-noticia/ |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=Gestión |language=es}}</ref> According to President Boluarte, Castillo's family was granted asylum by Mexico but not Castillo himself,<ref name=":45" /> with Castillo saying that he only sought to leave his family at the embassy for their safety and that he wanted to continue presidential duties.<ref name=":46" /> Castillo was held in preventive custody while being investigated for "rebellion and conspiracy," and has shared the same prison as Alejandro Toledo and Alberto Fujimori (the latter was released in December 2023 and died nine months later).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Aquino |first=Marco |date=2022-12-08 |title=Peru's Castillo detained in same jail as ex-leader Fujimori, source says |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/perus-castillo-detained-same-jail-ex-leader-fujimori-source-says-2022-12-08/ |access-date=2022-12-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Quesada |first=Juan Diego |date=2022-12-09 |title=Inside the coup in Peru: 'President, what have you done?' |url=https://english.elpais.com/international/2022-12-09/inside-the-coup-in-peru-president-what-have-you-done.html |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=EL PAÍS English Edition |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Perú: Alejandro Toledo ya comparte la misma prisión que Alberto Fujimori y Pedro Castillo |trans-title=Peru: Alejandro Toledo already shares the same prison with Alberto Fujimori and Pedro Castillo |url=https://www.clarin.com/mundo/peru-alejandro-toledo-comparte-misma-prision-alberto-fujimori-pedro-castillo_0_3cqPtgYMjM.html |access-date=15 May 2023 |work=Clarín |date=24 April 2023|language=es}}</ref>
His trial for rebellion charges over the self-coup began on 4 March 2025.<ref>{{cite news |title=Peru's 'first poor president' on trial for rebellion |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250304-peru-s-first-poor-president-on-trial-for-rebellion |access-date=4 March 2025 |work=France 24 |date=4 March 2025 |language=en}}</ref> On 10 March, Castillo announced that he was going on a hunger strike,<ref>{{cite news |title=Former Peruvian president announces hunger strike to protest rebellion trial |url=https://apnews.com/article/peru-castillo-hunger-strike-f6ff2314d85e123dd2c3c553cdc07ade |access-date=12 March 2025 |work=AP News |date=11 March 2025 |language=en}}</ref> resulting in his hospitalization and the end of his hunger strike on 13 March.<ref>{{cite news |title=Peru's detained ex-President Castillo transferred to a hospital days after starting hunger strike |url=https://apnews.com/article/peru-pedro-castillo-hospital-transfer-hunger-strike-0e583370e0fb5e455769d151a4032bbf |access-date=14 March 2025 |work=AP News |date=14 March 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Peru's detained ex-President Castillo ends hunger strike after four days, authorities say |url=https://apnews.com/article/peru-pedro-castillo-hunger-strike-end-fb25450dda3f9057011b1654bf43c607 |access-date=15 March 2025 |work=AP News |date=15 March 2025 |language=en}}</ref> Prosecution sought 34-years imprisonment, but he received an 11 years, five months, and 15 days sentence on 27 November 2025.<ref>{{cite news |agency=AFP |title=Peru's ousted 'president of the poor' gets 11-year sentence for rebellion |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/nov/27/perus-ousted-president-of-the-poor-gets-11-year-sentence-for-rebellion |work=The Guardian |date=27 November 2025 |issn=1756-3224}}</ref>
=== Recognition === [[File:Castillo Boluarte recognition map.svg|thumb|300x300px|Nations recognizing presidential governments<br>{{color box|Red}} Pedro Castillo<br>{{color box|#FF7538}} Dina Boluarte]] Castillo's impeachment was recognized internationally,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-19 |title=Peru – President Addresses General Debate, 78th Session {{!}} UN Web TV |url=https://media.un.org/en/asset/k1y/k1y59bg4ua |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=media.un.org |language=en |archive-date=20 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120185056/https://media.un.org/en/asset/k1y/k1y59bg4ua |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-11-16 |title=Peru President Boluarte talks trade boost after meeting China's Xi |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/peru-president-boluarte-talks-trade-boost-after-meeting-chinas-xi-2023-11-16/ |access-date=2023-11-20}}</ref> with countries like Spain and China, and organizations such as the European Union recognizing Boluarte and championing a return to "constitutional order."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-07 |title=Peru swears in VP as the new president amid constitutional crisis |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/peru-swears-in-vp-as-the-new-president-amid-constitutional-crisis |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=PBS NewsHour |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Peru: Statement by the Spokesperson on latest political developments {{!}} EEAS |url=https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/peru-statement-spokesperson-latest-political-developments_en |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=www.eeas.europa.eu}}</ref> The American continent was more mixed. Members of the São Paulo Forum like Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil and Gabriel Boric of Chile recognized Boluarte as the new president. The United States, Costa Rica and Canada recognized Boluarte as president.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-12-08 |title=Reaction in Americas region to ousting of Peru's Castillo |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/reaction-americas-region-ousting-perus-castillo-2022-12-08/ |access-date=2023-11-20}}</ref>
However, some left-wing Latin American governments, including Bolivia, Colombia, Honduras, Mexico, and Venezuela continued to recognize Pedro Castillo as the democratically elected President of Peru following the events in December 2022 and refused to recognize Boluarte.<ref name=":162">{{Cite web |date=13 December 2022 |title=After Mexico president backs Peru's Castillo, Boluarte to call leaders |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/mexican-president-says-perus-castillo-should-not-have-been-removed-2022-12-13/ |access-date=2023-03-02 |website=Reuters}}</ref><ref name=":203">{{Cite web |date=2022-12-12 |title=Colombia, Argentina, México y Bolivia, a favor de Castillo |url=https://apnews.com/article/noticias-c4152daee74d1e733412ee70386c48a1 |access-date=2023-03-02 |website=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":214">{{Cite news |date=2023-01-26 |title=Peru recalls ambassador to Honduras for 'unacceptable interference' as diplomatic spat deepens |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/peru-recalls-ambassador-honduras-unacceptable-interference-diplomatic-spat-2023-01-26/ |access-date=2023-03-02}}</ref> Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela, Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico, Gustavo Petro of Colombia, Alberto Fernández of Argentina, and Luis Arce of Bolivia denounced Boluarte's government as a coup, comparing the situation as similar to the ascension of Bolivia's Jeanine Áñez during the 2019 Bolivian political crisis. These presidents continued to support Pedro Castillo's claims to be the rightful president under a "government of exception."<ref name=":222">{{Cite news |last=Tegel |first=Simeon |date=13 December 2022 |title=Peru's Castillo says he's still president; international allies agree |language=en-US |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/12/13/peru-castillo-protests/ |access-date=2022-12-15 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Peruvian President jailed after attempting "self-coup" |url=https://brazilian.report/newsletters/latin-america-weekly/2022/12/07/peru-president-castillo-congress/ |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=The Brazilian Report |language=en-US |archive-date=15 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215170158/https://brazilian.report/newsletters/latin-america-weekly/2022/12/07/peru-president-castillo-congress/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Political positions== {{quote box | quote = "We have fought against terrorism and we will continue to do so. ... We are going to defend the constitutional rights of the country, there is no Chavismo, there is no communism ... ." | author = —Pedro Castillo, April 2021<ref name=":14"/> | align = right | width = 250px }} Castillo has been described as having far-left,<ref>{{Cite web|date=12 April 2021|title=Far left candidate Pedro Castillo leads Peruvian presidential race – Ipsos fast count|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/far-left-candidate-pedro-castillo-leads-peruvian-presidential-race-ipsos-fast-2021-04-12/|access-date=18 April 2021|website=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Taj|first=Mitra|date=12 April 2021|title=Peru Election for the 5th President in 5 Years Goes to Runoff|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/12/world/americas/peru-Pedro-Castillo.html|access-date=18 April 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> socialist,<ref>{{Cite web|date=13 June 2021|title=Peru's socialists cheer election win as conservatives pledge to fight on |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/perus-socialists-cheer-election-win-conservatives-pledge-fight-2021-06-13/|access-date=7 November 2022|website=Reuters}}</ref> populist<ref>{{cite journal|last=Muñoz|first=Paula|date=July 2021|url=https://www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/latin-america-erupts-peru-goes-populist/|title=Latin America Erupts: Peru Goes Populist|journal=Journal of Democracy|volume=32|issue=3|pages=48–62|doi=10.1353/jod.2021.0033 |s2cid=238828588 |access-date=25 June 2022|url-access=subscription}}</ref> economic policies while being socially conservative.<ref>{{cite web|last=Tegel|first=Simeon|date=14 May 2021|title=Peru is Officially Investigating If Bleach Can Cure Covid|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/peru-is-officially-investigating-if-bleach-can-cure-covid/|access-date=11 June 2021|website=Vice|quote=... two autocratic and socially conservative candidates who each routinely flout social distancing at their campaign rallies and appear to have a shaky grasp of the science around the pandemic.}}</ref><ref name="Jones 2021">{{cite news|last=Jones|first=Sam|date=5 June 2021|title=Peru faces poll dilemma: a leftist firebrand or the dictator's daughter?|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/05/peru-poll-dilemma-leftist-firebrand-or-dictators-daughter-carlos-davalos|access-date=11 June 2021|newspaper=The Guardian|quote=Pedro Castillo, a far-left but socially conservative union leader and teacher, ... .}}</ref>{{sfn|Asensio|Camacho|González|Grompone|2021|pp=55–56}} He said that he is not a communist or a Chavista, although his party is.<ref>{{cite news|date=16 June 2021|title='We are not communists': Castillo seeks to allay fears in divided Peru|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/perus-socialist-president-in-waiting-seeks-calm-fears-amid-vote-tension-2021-06-16/|access-date=16 June 2021|publisher=Reuters}}</ref> Peru's attitude towards LGBT rights has generally been hostile and is heavily influenced by the Catholic Church, and Castillo is said to be more in line with his right-wing opponents on social issues, opposing abortion, LGBT rights,<ref name="Gimeno 2021">{{cite web|last=Gimeno|first=Fernando|date=4 June 2021|title=Peru election pits 2 candidates opposed by women's rights, LGBT+ activists|url=https://www.laprensalatina.com/peru-election-pits-2-candidates-opposed-by-womens-rights-lgbt-activists/|access-date=11 June 2021|website=La Prensa Latina Media|quote=two socially conservative candidates that oppose abortion, same-sex marriage and gender equality-based education.|archive-date=11 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611121944/https://www.laprensalatina.com/peru-election-pits-2-candidates-opposed-by-womens-rights-lgbt-activists/|url-status=dead}}</ref> same-sex marriage,<ref name="France 24 2021 soc con">{{cite web|date=13 April 2021|title=Far-left schoolteacher, rightwing populist vie for Peru presidency|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210413-far-left-schoolteacher-rightwing-populist-vie-for-peru-presidency|access-date=11 June 2021|website=France 24|quote=Both candidates are socially conservative – opposed to abortion and gay marriage.}}</ref> euthanasia, sex education,<ref name=":3"/><ref name=":44" /> and the gender-equality approach in schools;<ref name=":22">{{Cite web|last=Puente|first=Javier|date=14 April 2021|title=Who is Peru's Frontrunner Pedro Castillo?|url=https://nacla.org/peru-elections-pedro-castillo |access-date=17 April 2021|website=North American Congress on Latin America}}</ref><ref name="ges34">{{cite web|date=7 April 2021|title=Pedro Castillo está en contra del enfoque de género en el currículo escolar|url=https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/pedro-castillo-esta-en-contra-del-enfoque-de-genero-en-el-curriculo-escolar-noticia/|access-date=12 April 2021|website=Gestion|language=es}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite web|date=12 April 2021|title=Pedro Castillo, el maestro con el que se identifica el otro Perú|url=https://www.france24.com/es/am%C3%A9rica-latina/20210412-perfil-pedro-castillo-elecciones-izquierda-peru |access-date=13 April 2021|website=France 24}}</ref> this put him at odds with the progressive left that has supported him. Castillo's participation in the second round of the 2021 Peruvian presidential election placed him as one of two socially conservative candidates,<ref name="Quesada 2021"/> in a highly polarized election.<ref>{{Cite web|date=12 April 2021|title=Far-left activist leads in Peru presidential election upset|url=https://www.ft.com/content/d3306d77-05e3-40e0-8695-426bdb81ee11 |access-date=18 April 2021|work=Financial Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=12 April 2021|last1=Quito|first1=Gideon Long in|last2=London|first2=Michael Stott in|title=Far-left activist Castillo leads in Peru presidential election upset|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/far-left-activist-castillo-leads-in-peru-presidential-election-upset-1.4535338|access-date=18 April 2021|newspaper=The Irish Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|author1=Ryan Dube|author2=Kejal Vyas |date=13 April 2021|title=Peru Election Pits Fan of Castro Against Authoritarian Ex-Leader's Daughter|work=The Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/peru-election-pits-fan-of-castro-against-authoritarian-ex-leaders-daughter-11618338445|access-date=18 April 2021|issn=0099-9660}}</ref>
''The Economist'' wrote that Castillo "combines radical rhetoric with pragmatism," and cited his work with both left-wing and right-wing groups, including Keiko Fujimori's Popular Force, during the 2017 teachers' strike.<ref name=":153"/> ''Le Monde diplomatique'' wrote that Castillo maintained support prior to being elected because his positions were "rather vague."<ref name=":62" /> Castillo later distanced himself from the far-left of the Free Peru party, stating that "the one who is going to govern is me," and that there would be "no communism" in Peru under his government.<ref name=":202" /><ref name=":14">{{Cite web|date=22 April 2021|title=Pedro Castillo arremete contra Nicolás Maduro: 'que primero arregle sus problemas internos y que se lleve a sus compatriotas que vinieron a delinquir'|url=https://www.expreso.com.pe/elecciones-2021/pedro-castillo-arremete-contra-nicolas-maduro-si-hay-algo-que-tiene-que-decir-que-primero-arregle-sus-problemas-internos-y-que-se-lleve-a-sus-compatriotas-que-vinieron-a-delinquir/|access-date=23 April 2021|website=Diario Expreso}}</ref><ref name=":152">{{Cite web|date=22 April 2021|title='No Chavismo here': Peru socialist candidate Castillo seeks to calm jittery markets|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/no-chavismo-here-peru-socialist-candidate-castillo-seeks-calm-jittery-markets-2021-04-22/ |access-date=23 April 2021|website=Reuters}}</ref> Kahhat said that Castillo limited his relationship with Free Peru and separated himself from the party's leader, adding that "it is important to remember that Castillo is a candidate but not a party member... [We] might even say he is more conservative than the ideals of [Free Peru] would suggest."<ref name=":192" /> Anthony Medina Rivas Plata, a political scientist at the Catholic University of Santa María, said that "Castillo's rise is not because he is left-wing, but because he comes from below. He has never said he is a Marxist, socialist, or communist. What he is is an evangelical."<ref name="Tegel 2021">{{cite news|last=Tegel|first=Simeon|date=18 June 2021|title=Presumed President-elect Pedro Castillo faces challenges in Peru|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/6/18/who-is-pedro-castillo-perus-presumed-president-elect|access-date=22 June 2021|publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref>
After winning the first round of presidential elections, Castillo presented his ideas in a more moderated manner, maintaining a balance between the leftist ideals of Free Peru and the conservative consensus of Peruvians.<ref>{{cite web|last=Fernández Calvo|first=Lourdes|title=Minedu: huelga de maestros tuvo mayor impacto en cinco regiones|url=https://elcomercio.pe/peru/minedu-huelga-maestros-tuvo-mayor-impacto-cinco-regiones-442069-noticia/|access-date=13 February 2021|website=elcomercio.pe|date=13 July 2017}}</ref><ref name=":20">{{Cite web|last=Sonneland|first=Holly K.|date=1 June 2021|title=Contrasting Platforms in Peru's Presidential Runoff|url=https://www.as-coa.org/articles/contrasting-platforms-perus-presidential-runoff |access-date=5 June 2021|website=AS/COA}}</ref> Following his ascent to the presidency, Free Peru broke from Castillo, who distanced himself from Vladimir Cerrón,<ref name="Quesada 2021"/> believing that he moderated his positions to appease businesses and opposing politicians.<ref name=":17" /> On 30 June 2022, Castillo resigned from Free Peru.<ref>{{cite news |title=Presidente Pedro Castillo presentó su renuncia irrevocable al partido Perú Libre |url=https://rpp.pe/politica/gobierno/presidente-pedro-castillo-presento-su-renuncia-irrevocable-al-partido-peru-libre-noticia-1414978 |work=RPP|date=30 June 2022 |access-date=30 June 2022|language=es}}</ref>
===Domestic=== ====Economy==== Castillo expressed his interest in moving Peru more towards a mixed economy.<ref name=":20" /> He promised foreign businesses that he would not nationalize companies in Peru, saying that those seeking the nationalization of industry within his party were part of the "leftist fringe."<ref name=":152" /> Some of his main economic proposals were to regulate "monopolies and oligopolies" in order to establish a mixed economy and to renegotiate tax breaks with large businesses.<ref name=":20" /> Castillo made statements supporting increased regulation, directly criticizing Chilean companies Saga Falabella and LATAM Airlines Group.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web|last=García J|first=Renato|title=Los dardos del candidato presidencial peruano Pedro Castillo contra Latam, Falabella y Cencosud|url=http://www.df.cl/noticias/internacional/economia/los-dardos-del-candidato-presidencial-peruano-pedro-castillo-contra/2021-04-14/120357.html|access-date=17 April 2021|website=Diario Financiero|language=es|archive-date=22 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422204444/https://www.df.cl/noticias/internacional/economia/los-dardos-del-candidato-presidencial-peruano-pedro-castillo-contra/2021-04-14/120357.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Citing the fact that LATAM owes Peru nearly $1 billion, Castillo called for a state-owned national airline.<ref name=":11" /> In an interview with CNN, he stated that if elected, he would hold discussions with businesses to ensure that "70% of profits must remain for the country" and that "they take 30%, not the other way around as it is today."<ref name=":5" />
Castillo proposed increasing the education and health budgets to at least 10 percent of Peru's GDP.<ref name=":3" /><ref name="ges34" /> He received criticism from EFE for not clarifying how these policies would be funded,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ecuador gira a la derecha y la ultraizquierda pasa a segunda vuelta en Perú|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/latinoam%C3%A9rica-elecciones--resumen-_ecuador-gira-a-la-derecha-y-la-ultraizquierda-pasa-a-segunda-vuelta-en-per%C3%BA/46523688 |access-date=13 April 2021|website=EFE|date=12 April 2021 |language=es}}</ref> as Peru's existing government budget is already 14 percent of the country's GDP.<ref name="ges34" /> Castillo believed that internet access should be a right for all Peruvians.<ref name=":20" /> He proposed a science and technology ministry that would immediately be tasked with combating the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru.<ref name=":20" />
Regarding mining in Peru, Castillo supported the extraction of minerals throughout Peru "where nature and the population allow it," and welcomed international investment in these projects.<ref name=":5" /> For agrarian reform, Castillo proposed making Peru less reliant on importing agricultural goods and incentivizing food production for local use instead of solely for export.<ref name=":18" />
====Governance==== A main proposal of Castillo was to elect a constituent assembly to replace the constitution inherited from Alberto Fujimori's regime, with Castillo saying "it serves to defend corruption on a macro scale."<ref name=":3" /><ref name="pa0123">{{cite web|date=13 April 2021|title=¿Quién es Pedro Castillo? La gran sorpresa de la elección en Perú|url=https://www.pagina12.com.ar/335130-quien-es-pedro-castillo-la-gran-sorpresa-de-la-eleccion-en-p|work=Página/12|language=es|access-date=19 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Palacios|first=Oswaldo|date=6 April 2021|title=Pedro Castillo: "Vamos a desactivar el Tribunal Constitucional en el acto", porque sirve para defender la gran corrupción|url=https://rpp.pe/politica/elecciones/elecciones-2021-pedro-castillo-estoy-en-contra-del-enfoque-de-genero-y-no-legalizaria-el-aborto-ni-el-matrimonio-igualitario-noticia-1330114|access-date=9 April 2021|website=RPP|language=es}}</ref> Castillo said that, in his efforts to rewrite the Peruvian constitution, he would respect the rule of law by utilizing existing constitutional processes and call for a constitutional referendum to determine whether a constituent assembly should be formed or not.
At an event called Citizen Proclamation – Oath for Democracy, Castillo signed an agreement vowing to respect democracy, stating, "I swear with all my heart, I do swear with all my heart, that I will respect true democracy and equal rights and opportunities of the Peruvian people, without any discrimination and favoritism."<ref name="ANDINAmay">{{Cite web|date=17 May 2021|title=Peru: Castillo vows to respect democracy and rights of Peruvians without favoritism|url=https://andina.pe/ingles/noticia-peru-castillo-vows-to-respect-democracy-and-rights-of-peruvians-without-favoritism-845524.aspx |access-date=13 June 2021|website=Andina|language=es}}</ref> Castillo also promised at the event to respect the presidential term limit of a five-year tenure, saying that if elected, he would not adjust mechanisms to extend the presidential period and would leave office on 28 July 2026.<ref name=ANDINAmay/> Other statements by Castillo included respecting the separation of powers and recognizing the autonomy of constitutional entities.<ref name=ANDINAmay/>
====Social==== Castillo's proposed social policies included creating paramilitary groups and militarizing Peruvian youth to promote a revolutionary experience, calling for citizens to arm themselves in order to provide justice through "socialist administration."<ref name=":22" /> He called for Peru to leave the American Convention on Human Rights and to reinstate the death penalty in the country.<ref name=":10">{{cite web|date=13 April 2021|title=Castillo and Fujimori, rivals vying for Peru's presidency|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210413-castillo-and-fujimori-rivals-vying-for-peru-s-presidency|access-date=17 April 2021|website=France 24}}</ref> Castillo also called for stricter regulations on the media in Peru.<ref name=":3"/>
According to Castillo, issues of abortion and LGBT rights were "not a priority."<ref name=":12"/> His socialist woman proposal (''La mujer socialista'') was described by Javier Puente, assistant professor of Latin American Studies at Smith College as "a deeply patriarchal, gender-normative view of society disguised under seemingly liberating language" while the rest of his program did not include any policies regarding LGBT groups, who are vulnerable populations in Peru.
Castillo announced during his inauguration that youths who do not work or study would have to serve in the military; as there is no mandatory service in Peru, it was unclear whether Castillo would introduce conscription.<ref>{{Cite news|date=29 July 2021|title=Pedro Castillo: 'Los jóvenes que no trabajan ni estudian tendrán que cumplir con el servicio militar'|url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/pedro-castillo-los-jovenes-que-no-trabajan-ni-estudian-tendran-que-cumplir-con-el-servicio-militar-mindef-nndc-noticia/|access-date=29 July 2021|newspaper=El Comercio|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=The new president of Peru announced that young people who neither study nor work will have to do military service|url=https://marketresearchtelecast.com/the-new-president-of-peru-announced-that-young-people-who-neither-study-nor-work-will-have-to-do-military-service/115393/|access-date=30 July 2021|agency=Market Research Telecast|date=30 July 2021}}{{Dead link|date=November 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>
===International===
==== Latin America ==== [[File:03 02 2021 - Reunião com o Presidente da República do Peru, Pedro Castilho (51859209817).jpg|thumb|left|Castillo embracing Jair Bolsonaro, President of Brazil, who said Castillo held "conservative values".]] Castillo defended the government of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, describing it as "a democratic government",<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":10" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=11 April 2021|title=Pedro Castillo califica de "democrático" el Gobierno de Nicolás Maduro|url=https://exitosanoticias.pe/v1/pedro-castillo-en-venezuela-hay-un-gobierno-que-para-nosotros-es-democratico/ |access-date=13 April 2021|website=Exitosa Noticias|language=es}}</ref> while his Free Peru party shared praise for the policies of Fidel Castro and Hugo Chávez.<ref name=":8" /> After winning the first round of presidential elections, Castillo stated regarding Venezuela that "there is no Chavismo here", saying of President Maduro, "if there is something he has to say concerning Peru, that he first fix his internal problems."<ref name=":13" /><ref name=":152" /> He also called on Maduro to take Venezuelan refugees back to their native country, saying that Venezuelans arrived in Peru "to commit crimes."<ref name=":13" /> Castillo described the Venezuelan refugee crisis as an issue of "human trafficking," and said that he would give Venezuelans who commit crimes 72 hours to leave Peru.<ref name=":13" /><ref name=":22" /><ref name=":10" />
Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaidó, who was recognized as legitimate president of Venezuela by Peru amidst the Venezuelan presidential crisis beginning in 2019, wished that Castillo would "decide for the good of freedom" after President Maduro's foreign minister Jorge Arreaza attended Castillo's inauguration.<ref name=Guaido>{{cite news |last1=Cuicas |first1=Adolfo |title="Esperamos que Perú decida bien por la libertad", afirma Guaidó desde Venezuela |trans-title="We hope that Peru makes a good decision for freedom," says Guaidó from Venezuela|url=https://larepublica.pe/mundo/2021/04/21/esperamos-que-peru-decida-bien-por-la-libertad-afirma-guaido-desde-venezuela/ |access-date=30 July 2021 |work=La República |date=21 April 2021 |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Arreaza llegó a Perú y marcó un giro en las relaciones entre ambos países |trans-title=Arreaza arrived in Peru and marked a turn in the relations between both countries |url=https://www.telam.com.ar/notas/202107/563024-el-canciller-venezolano-llego-a-peru-y-marco-un-giro-en-las-relaciones-entre-ambos-paises.html |access-date=30 July 2021 |agency=Télam |date=28 July 2021 |language=es}}</ref> Guaidó warned that the Lima Group could be renamed "Quito Group" if Peru recognizes Maduro.<ref name=Guaido/> Castillo called for plans to "deactivate" the group.<ref>{{Cite web|date=11 June 2021|title=Leftist close to victory in Peru, despite U.S. opposition and cascade of media slander|url=https://www.salon.com/2021/06/11/leftist-close-to-victory-in-peru-despite-us-opposition-and-cascade-of-media-slander/|website=Salon}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=29 April 2021|title=Pedro Castillo plantea desactivar Grupo de Lima, expulsión de USAID y cobranza compulsiva Keiko Fujimori Segunda vuelta Elecciones 2021 nndc | PERU|url=https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/pedro-castillo-plantea-desactivar-grupo-de-lima-expulsion-de-usaid-y-cobranza-compulsiva-keiko-fujimori-segunda-vuelta-elecciones-2021-nndc-noticia/|website=Gestión}}</ref>
In November 2021, Castillo announced the rejection of the 2021 Nicaraguan general election results, saying they were not "free, fair, and transparent elections." In addition, he supported the pressure measures against the government of Daniel Ortega by the Organization of American States.<ref>{{Cite web|date=11 November 2021|title=El presidente de Perú, Pedro Castillo, se suma a la condena contra Daniel Ortega|url=https://es.euronews.com/2021/11/08/pedro-castillo-rechaza-victoria-daniel-ortega-elecciones-nicaragua-peru|website=Euronews}}</ref>
At a bilateral meeting with president of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro on 3 February 2022, Castillo was seen embracing him. Bolsonaro, who wore Castillo's straw ''chotano'' hat, said Castillo was a defender of freedom and "conservative values."<ref name=":38" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=6 February 2022|title=Castillo embraces Conservative values, Bolsonaro says after meeting|url=https://en.mercopress.com/2022/02/06/castillo-embraces-conservative-values-bolsonaro-says-after-meeting|access-date=8 February 2022|website=MercoPress}}</ref> Bolsonaro and Castillo also discussed a proposed highway through the Amazon rainforest, the removal of bureaucratic trade regulations, and increased drug trade monitoring.<ref name=":39">{{Cite news|date=3 February 2022|title=Brazil's Bolsonaro presses Peru's Castillo on road through rainforest to access Pacific|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/brazils-bolsonaro-presses-perus-castillo-road-through-rainforest-access-pacific-2022-02-03/|access-date=8 February 2022}}</ref>
==== Europe ==== Like Mexico's Andrés Manuel López Obrador and other Latin American left-wing politicians, Castillo was critical of the colonisation of Latin America by Spain. During his investiture, which King Felipe VI of Spain attended, he spoke strongly against Spanish colonial rule.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.libertaddigital.com/internacional/latinoamerica/2021-07-29/pedro-castillo-insulta-gravemente-a-espana-y-al-rey-felipe-vi-durante-su-investidura-6805243/|title=Castillo insulta gravemente a España y a Felipe VI durante su investidura|date=29 July 2021|website=Libertad Digital|language=es|access-date=26 June 2022}}</ref>
==Controversies==
=== ''Terruqueo'' target === {{see also|Terruqueo}} {{quote box | quote = "When you go out to ask for rights, they say that you are a terrorist, ... I know the country and they will not be able to shut me up, ... The terrorists are hunger and misery, abandonment, inequality, injustice." | author = —Pedro Castillo, April 2021<ref name=":12"/> | align = right | width = 250px }} During the terrorism in Peru in the 1980s and 1990s, the government, military, and media in Peru described individuals on the left of the political spectrum as being a threat to the nation, with many students, professors, union members, and peasants being jailed or killed for their political beliefs.<ref name=":212">{{Cite news|last=Burt|first=Jo-Marie|date=5 June 2021|title=Peru's military say Shining Path insurgents killed 16 civilians. Others are not so sure.|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/06/05/perus-military-say-shining-path-insurgents-killed-16-civilians-others-are-not-so-sure/ |newspaper=The Washington Post|quote=The Keiko Fujimori campaign seized upon the Vizcatán massacre to reiterate the 'Castillo-as-extremist' narrative, pointing to alleged ties between Castillo and a Shining Path front group, MOVADEF, to suggest that Castillo bore some responsibility for the gruesome killings.}}</ref> Such sentiments continued for decades into the 2021 election, with Peru's right-wing elite and media organizations collaborating with Keiko Fujimori's campaign by appealing to fear when discussing Castillo,<ref name=":202" /><ref name=":192" /><ref name=":212"/> linking him to armed communist groups through a fearmongering political attack known as a ''terruqueo''.{{sfn|Asensio|Camacho|González|Grompone|2021|pp=87–88}}<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=19 September 2021|title=Peru Processes the Death of Abimael Guzmán|url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/postscript/peru-processes-the-death-of-abimael-guzman |access-date=18 November 2021|magazine=The New Yorker}}</ref><ref name=":111">{{Cite news|title=Qué es el "terruqueo" en Perú y cómo influye en la disputa presidencial entre Fujimori y Castillo|language=es|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-57277852|access-date=18 November 2021}}</ref> The ''terreuqueo'' was also used beside classist and racist rhetoric against Castillo.{{sfn|Asensio|Camacho|González|Grompone|2021|pp=87–88}}
In 2017, Castillo's participation in the teacher's strike was criticized by Minister of the Interior, Carlos Basombrío Iglesias, who said Castillo was involved with MOVADEF, a group consisting of former members of Shining Path. Castillo said he was not involved with MOVADEF or the militant teachers' union faction CONARE and that those factions should not be involved in teaching.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Pedro Castillo: Si hay profesores del Movadef es competencia del Minedu|url=https://www.americatv.com.pe/noticias/actualidad/pedro-castillo-si-hay-profesores-movadef-responsabilidad-minedu-n287990|access-date=11 February 2021|date=15 August 2017|website=América Noticias|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Pedro Castillo: Si hay profesores del Movadef es responsabilidad del Minedu|url=https://canaln.pe/actualidad/pedro-castillo-si-hay-profesores-movadef-responsabilidad-minedu-n287988|access-date=11 February 2021|date=15 August 2017|website=canaln.pe|language=es}}</ref> In June 2018, Hamer Villena Zúñiga, the leader of the United Union of Workers in Education of Peru (SUTEP), stated that Castillo's sister, María Doraliza Castillo Terrones, was a member of MOVADEF.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.expreso.com.pe/politica/pedro-castillo-sabe-que-esta-rodeado-por-el-movadef/|title=Pedro Castillo sabe que está rodeado por el Movadef|access-date=11 February 2021|date=29 June 2018|website=expreso.com.pe}}</ref> In 2018 and 2020, the newspaper ''Peru.21'' accused Castillo of being linked to Shining Path, and published documents citing his alleged participation in virtual meetings with the organization's leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=29 June 2018|title=Este documento confirma nexo de Pedro Castillo con el Movadef |url=https://peru21.pe/politica/documento-confirma-nexo-pedro-castillo-movadef-411893-noticia/|access-date=11 February 2021|website=Peru21|language=es}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|date=16 August 2020|title=Sendero organiza reuniones virtuales durante pandemia |url=https://peru21.pe/peru/sendero-organiza-reuniones-virtuales-durante-pandemia-noticia/|access-date=11 February 2021|website=Peru21|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=29 June 2018|title=Documento revelaría nexos entre Pedro Castillo y Movadef|url=https://panamericana.pe/buenosdiasperu/locales/247851-documento-revelaria-nexos-pedro-castillo-movadef|access-date=11 February 2021|website=panamericana.pe}}</ref>
Claims linking Castillo to MOVADEF and Shining Path were refuted by Castillo himself and major media outlets. With Castillo being a member of the Ronda Campesina, which often partnered with the Peruvian Armed Forces to defend rural communities against guerrilla groups, allegations by Peruvian journalists of his links to Shining Path were contradictory.{{sfn|Asensio|Camacho|González|Grompone|2021|pp=101–102}} ''The Guardian'' described links to Shining Path as "incorrect," and the Associated Press said that allegations by Peruvian media of links to Shining Path were "unsupported."<ref name=":12"/><ref>{{cite news|last=Collyns|first=Dan|date=5 May 2021|title=Son of the soil Pedro Castillo promises a presidency for Peru|url=http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/may/05/pedro-castillo-peru-presidential-candidate|access-date=7 May 2021|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref> ''The Economist'' wrote that at the same time Castillo allegedly worked with groups linked to Shining Path, he was also partnering with right-wing legislators from Popular Force, Fujimori's party, in the same capacity.{{clarify|reason="'same' capacity literally seems to mean that Castillo worked simultaneously with Popular Force and Shining Path, in which case 'allegedly' is confusing|date=December 2022}}<ref name=":153"/>
===Company=== According to Public Records, Castillo founded a company called Consorcio Chotano de Inversionistas Emprendedores JOP S.A.C., which he did not indicate in his resume presented to the National Jury of Elections. Former congresswoman Yeni Vilcatoma of the Popular Force, a Fujimorist party, filed a complaint for the public prosecution which opened a preliminary investigation,<ref>{{Cite web|date=15 May 2021|title=Pedro Castillo: Fiscalía le abre investigación preliminar por presunta información falsa en hoja de vida Segunda vuelta Elecciones 2021 nndc|url=https://gestion.pe/peru/politica/pedro-castillo-fiscalia-le-abre-investigacion-preliminar-por-presunta-informacion-falsa-en-hoja-de-vida-segunda-vuelta-elecciones-2021-nndc-noticia/|access-date=22 May 2021|website=Gestión|language=es}}</ref> Within the context of the second-round campaign, Keiko Fujimori distanced herself from Vilcatoma and denounced her, saying, "I like to win political competitions on the field."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Keiko Fujimori en desacuerdo con denuncia presentada contra Pedro Castillo|url=https://andina.pe/agencia/noticia-keiko-fujimori-desacuerdo-denuncia-presentada-contra-pedro-castillo-842679.aspx|access-date=22 May 2021|website=Andina|date=24 April 2021 |language=es}}</ref> Castillo said that he did not list the company because he did not remember its existence since it never operated; it is indicated that he invested 18,000 soles.<ref>{{Cite web|date=22 April 2021|title=Pedro Castillo afirma que su 'empresa nunca estuvo activa' y responderá 'jurídicamente'|url=https://caretas.pe/politica/pedro-castillo-afirma-que-su-empresa-nunca-estuvo-activa-y-respondera-juridicamente/|access-date=23 May 2021|website=Caretas|language=es|archive-date=24 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424004128/https://caretas.pe/politica/pedro-castillo-afirma-que-su-empresa-nunca-estuvo-activa-y-respondera-juridicamente/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=20 April 2021|title=Pedro Castillo figura como gerente general de consorcio desde julio del 2017, cuando lideró la huelga magisterial|url=https://www.expreso.com.pe/elecciones-2021/pedro-castillo-figura-como-gerente-general-de-consorcio-desde-julio-del-2017-cuando-lidero-la-huelga-magisterial/|access-date=23 May 2021|website=Diario Expreso}}</ref> This was made public after the complaint made by journalist and columnist Alfredo Vignolo,<ref>{{Cite news|date=23 April 2021|title=Pedro Castillo, su empresa y las deudas que mantiene con la cooperativa de su socio|url=https://elcomercio.pe/politica/pedro-castillo-su-empresa-y-las-deudas-que-mantiene-con-la-cooperativa-de-su-socio-noticia/|access-date=31 May 2021|newspaper=El Comercio|language=es |last1=Castañeda Palomino |first1=Giovanna |last2=Neyra |first2=Carlos }}</ref> who later claimed that he received death threats through social networks by supporters of Castillo.<ref>{{Cite web|date=22 April 2021|title=Pedro Castillo: simpatizantes amenazan de muerte a periodista que lo denunció ante el Ministerio Público [Fotos]|url=https://www.expreso.com.pe/elecciones-2021/pedro-castillo-amenazan-de-muerte-a-periodista-que-lo-denuncio-ante-el-ministerio-publico-fotos/|access-date=31 May 2021|website=Diario Expreso}}</ref>
==Personal life== Castillo is married to Lilia Paredes, a teacher, and they have two children together.<ref name=":12" /><ref name="Quesada 2021" /> Castillo is Catholic and has participated regularly in the local festival dedicated to the Virgin of Sorrows ("Virgen de los Dolores") held in Anguía.<ref name="esper">{{cite news |last1=Jacobo de la Cruz |first1=Maximiliano |title=Pedro Castillo: historia de un ídolo de barro |url=https://periodicolaesperanza.com/archivos/5660 |access-date=27 November 2024 |work=Círculo Blas de Ostolaza |publisher=La Esperanza |date=28 May 2021 |language=es}}</ref> His wife and children are evangelicals.<ref name=":12" /><ref name="France 24 2021 evang">{{cite web | title=Peruvians choose between right-wing populist and radical leftist | website=France 24 | date=6 June 2021 | url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210606-peruvians-choose-between-right-wing-populist-and-radical-leftist-1 | access-date=11 June 2021}}</ref> He is a teetotaler, practicing abstinence from consuming alcohol.{{sfn|Asensio|Camacho|González|Grompone|2021|pp=64–66}} His family lives in a nine-room home in the Chugur District, tending a farm with cows, pigs, corn, and sweet potatoes.<ref name=":12" /><ref name="Quesada 2021" />
Castillo was known for wearing a straw hat called a ''chotano'', a poncho, and sandals constructed from old tires.<ref name=":12"/><ref>{{Cite web|last=Rochabrun|first=Marcelo|date=5 June 2021|title=Left behind in modern Peru, rural poor find a voice ahead of election|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/left-behind-modern-peru-rural-poor-find-voice-ahead-election-2021-06-05/ |access-date=27 June 2021|website=Reuters}}</ref> Richard Rojas, his former campaign chief, told Latina Televisión that the hat was originally his brother's and that Castillo started wearing it as means to stand out during rallies.<ref>{{cite AV media|last=Acosta |first=Christopher |date=3 December 2023 |title=07/12 – Golpe y caída|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdPVW2C9DxM |trans-title=07/12 – Coup and Fall |format= |work=Latina Noticias |type=documentary |language=es |minutes=23 |publisher= |access-date=30 May 2025|via=YouTube}}</ref> He had stopped wearing the hat by February 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=El motivo por el que Pedro Castillo se deshace de su emblemático sombrero |url=https://www.abc.es/internacional/abci-motivo-pedro-castillo-deshace-emblematico-sombrero-202202111253_noticia.html?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.es%2Finternacional%2Fabci-motivo-pedro-castillo-deshace-emblematico-sombrero-202202111253_noticia.html |access-date=30 May 2025 |work=Diario ABC |agency=AFP |date=11 February 2022 |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Pedro Castillo se deshizo de su emblemático sombrero para sortear la tormenta política en Perú |url=https://www.infobae.com/america/america-latina/2022/02/11/pedro-castillo-se-deshizo-de-su-emblematico-sombrero-para-sortear-la-tormenta-politica-en-peru/ |access-date=30 May 2025 |work=Infobae |date=10 February 2022 |language=es}}</ref>
==Electoral history== {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center;" ! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" rowspan=2 | Year ! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" rowspan=2 | Office ! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" rowspan=2 | Type ! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" colspan=2 rowspan=2 | Party ! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" rowspan=2 | Main opponent ! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" colspan=2 rowspan=2 | Party ! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" colspan=4 | Votes for Castillo ! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" rowspan=2 | Result ! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" colspan=2 rowspan=2 | Swing |- ! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" | Total ! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" | % ! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" | {{abbr|2=Position|P}}. ! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" | {{tooltip|2=Change in percentage value since previous election|±%}} |- ! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" | 2002 | Mayor of Anguía | Municipal | style="background-color:{{party color|Possible Peru}};" | | Possible Peru | José Alberto Yrigoin | style="background-color:{{party color|Christian People's Party (Peru)}};" | | National Unity | 104 | 8.82% | 4th | N/A | {{no2|Lost}} | colspan=2 | N/A<ref>{{Cite web|title="ELECCIONES REGIONALES Y MUNICIPALES 2002 – RESULTADOS ELECCIONES MUNICIPALES DISTRITALES"|url=https://www.web.onpe.gob.pe/modElecciones/downloads/RyM2002/Resultados.pdf}}</ref> |- !rowspan="2" style="background-color:#EAECF0;" | 2021 |rowspan="2"| President of Peru | General |rowspan="2" style="background-color:{{party color|Free Peru}};" | |rowspan="2"| Free Peru |rowspan="2"| Keiko Fujimori |rowspan="2" style="background-color:{{party color|Popular Force}};" | |rowspan="2"| Popular Force | 2,724,752 | 18.92% | 1st | N/A | N/A | colspan=2 | N/A |- | General (2nd round) | 8,836,380 | 50.13% | 1st | N/A | rowspan=2 {{yes2|Won}} | rowspan=2 style="background-color:{{party color|Free Peru}};" | | rowspan=2 | '''Gain'''<ref>{{Cite web|title=ONPE termina contabilización del 100% de actas electorales|url=https://www.onpe.gob.pe/sala-prensa/notas-prensa/onpe-termina-contabilizacion-100-actas-electorales/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|work=ONPE|title=PRESENTACIÓN DE RESULTADOS SEGUNDA ELECCIÓN PRESIDENCIAL 2021|url=https://www.resultadossep.eleccionesgenerales2021.pe/SEP2021/EleccionesPresidenciales/RePres/T|access-date=17 June 2021|archive-date=8 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608015227/https://www.resultadossep.eleccionesgenerales2021.pe/SEP2021/EleccionesPresidenciales/RePres/T|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- |}
==Awards== * {{flag|Bolivia}} **40px Grand Collar of the Order of the Condor of the Andes (2021)<ref>{{cite news|title=Condecoran al presidente de Perú con el Cóndor de los Andes en Bolivia|trans-title=The president of Peru is decorated with the Condor of the Andes in Bolivia|url=https://www.atb.com.bo/pol%C3%ADtica/condecoran-al-presidente-de-per%C3%BA-con-el-c%C3%B3ndor-de-los-andes-en-bolivia|access-date=14 November 2021|agency=ATB Digital|date=30 October 2021|language=es|archive-date=14 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114121258/https://www.atb.com.bo/pol%C3%ADtica/condecoran-al-presidente-de-per%C3%BA-con-el-c%C3%B3ndor-de-los-andes-en-bolivia|url-status=dead}}</ref> * {{flag|Peru}} **frameless|40px Grand Master of the Order of the Sun of Peru (2021)<ref name=":21">{{cite web|title=Pedro Castillo llega al Congreso para jurar al cargo de Presidente de la República|url=https://elperuano.pe/noticia/125587-pedro-castillo-llega-al-congreso-para-jurar-al-cargo-de-presidente-de-la-republica |access-date=24 November 2021|website=El Peruano|language=es}}</ref> **alt=|frameless|40x40px Grand Master of the <!--http://medals.org.uk/peru/peru002.htm-->{{ill|Order of Merit for Distinguished Service|es|Orden al Mérito por Servicios Distinguidos}} (2021)<ref name=":21"/>
==See also== *List of Peruvians *Bruno Pacheco
== Notes == {{notelist}}
==References== {{reflist}}
=== Bibliography === {{Refbegin|30em|indent=yes}} *{{cite book|last1=Asensio|first1=Raúl|url=https://fondoeditorial.iep.org.pe/producto/el-profe-como-pedro-castillo-se-convirtio-en-presidente-del-peru-y-que-pasara-a-continuacion-2/|title=El Profe: Cómo Pedro Castillo se convirtió en presidente del Perú y qué pasará a continuación|last2=Camacho|first2=Gabriela|last3=González|first3=Natalia|last4=Grompone|first4=Romeo|last5=Pajuelo Teves|first5=Ramón|last6=Peña Jimenez|first6=Omayra|last7=Moscoso|first7=Macarena|last8=Vásquez|first8=Yerel|last9=Sosa Villagarcia|first9=Paolo|date=August 2021|publisher=Institute of Peruvian Studies|isbn=978-612-326-084-2|edition=1|location=Lima, Peru|pages=27–71|language=es|access-date=17 November 2021}} {{refend}}
==External links== {{sister project links||d=Q103838608|c=Category:Pedro Castillo|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|s= Author:Pedro Castillo|wikt=no|species=no}} * [http://perulibre.pe/pedro-castillo-y-el-magisterio-peruano/ Introduction by Perú Libre website] (in Spanish) * [https://www.cidob.org/lider-politico/pedro-castillo-terrones Biography by CIDOB] (in Spanish)
{{s-start}} {{s-ppo}} {{s-bef|before=Vladimir Cerrón}} {{s-ttl|title=Free Peru nominee for President of Peru|years=2021}} {{s-inc|recent}} {{s-break}} {{s-off}} {{s-bef|before=Francisco Sagasti}} {{s-ttl|title=President of Peru|years=2021–2022}} {{s-aft|after=Dina Boluarte}} {{s-end}}
{{Presidents of Peru}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Castillo, Pedro}} Category:1969 births Category:20th-century Peruvian people Category:21st-century Peruvian politicians Category:Articles containing video clips Category:Free Peru politicians Category:Heads of state and government who were later imprisoned Category:Impeached Peruvian officials Category:Impeached presidents removed from office Category:Independent politicians in Peru Category:Living people Category:People from Cajamarca Category:People from Chota province Category:Peruvian Christian socialists Category:Peruvian Roman Catholics Category:Peruvian schoolteachers Category:Peruvian trade unionists Category:Presidents of Peru Category:Prisoners and detainees of Peru Category:Anti-Spanish sentiment