On Sunday, Peru's President Dina Boluarte asserted that she prevented her nation from descending into a failed state "like Cuba, Venezuela, and Bolivia." Reflecting on the ousting of Pedro Castillo, which led to her ascent to power amid political turmoil, Boluarte stated in her latest address to Congress that it was "a political agenda that was leading to destruction," as reported by Efe.
"It was not under my presidency that an attempt was made to disrupt the constitutional order and place Peru on a path to ruin and failure," Boluarte declared, as her speech was repeatedly interrupted by left-wing lawmakers shouting "murderer, murderer." Following Castillo's unsuccessful self-coup in December 2022, Boluarte stepped in as president during protests that resulted in 50 fatalities. The far-left Castillo was subsequently removed from office and detained.
"My administration had no peace or respite; from the outset, we faced a violent offensive. The initial phase of our governance was marked by political upheaval, causing significant economic losses for the country," Boluarte added. She is set to hand over power on July 28, 2026, after elections scheduled for April.
Boluarte accused the coup plotters of "damaging the image of the new government" and tarnishing "our country's international reputation." She commented, "A narrative was constructed where the coup plotters were seen as victims, and those striving to restore democratic constitutional order to achieve peace and unity among Peruvians were depicted as the villains," amid boos and interruptions.
"Time, history, and justice will eventually place everyone in their rightful positions, revealing their true intentions and character," she continued. According to Efe, lawmaker Roberto Sánchez, a former minister under Castillo, left Congress in protest, displaying a sign demanding Castillo's freedom.
A survey conducted on Sunday showed Boluarte's disapproval rating at 97% for the month, with an approval of 2.1% and 0.9% indifferent to her leadership.
Key Questions on Peru's Political Climate Under Boluarte
What led to Dina Boluarte becoming President of Peru?
Dina Boluarte became President of Peru following the ousting of Pedro Castillo in December 2022, after his failed self-coup attempt, which led to political instability and protests.
How did Boluarte describe the initial phase of her presidency?
Boluarte described the early period of her administration as tumultuous, marked by political unrest and significant economic losses, with ongoing violent challenges.
How has Boluarte's presidency been viewed by the public according to recent surveys?
Recent surveys indicate that Boluarte's presidency has faced significant public disapproval, with a rejection rate of 97% and only 2.1% approval.