Peru's new president, Dina Boluarte, reshuffles the country's cabinet following the former leader being ousted, naming the defense minister as the nation's prime minister.
The official, Alberto Otarola, was a lawyer who had been the Andean nation's defense minister, was named to be the country's prime minister as four others entered the Cabinet. The president announced that Alex Contreras and Oscar Vera were kept as ministers of the economy and energy and mines, respectively.
Peru's Cabinet Reshuffle
However, left-wing legislators denounced Otarola's appointment as the nation's prime minister, saying that they blame him for the protest-related deaths that prompted the resignation of two ministers. The protests were allegedly triggered by the impeachment and detainment of former President Pedro Castillo.
A member of Congress, Sigrid Bazan, said that without any remorse, Otarola, who he said was among the main politicians responsible for the deaths of 26 residents, was sworn as the new premier.
Furthermore, human rights groups have accused Peruvian authorities of using firearms against protesters and even dropping smoke bombs from helicopters. On the other hand, the army said that demonstrators also used weapons and homemade explosives, as per Reuters.
Boluarte was elected as president after her predecessor, Castillo, was ousted over attempts to dissolve Congress to remain in power. Now, she said that she is leading a transitional government and has urged legislators to move up elections.
However, the new president's government is also embroiled in a diplomatic tussle with Mexico after Lima said this week that it was going to expel the Mexican ambassador. That decision followed Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's public support for the ousted Castillo.
According to Al Jazeera, protesters have demanded the former president's release, speedy early elections, Boluarte's resignation, and the dissolution of Congress, which has an overwhelming disapproval rating among the public.
Mexico's Support of Castillo
Peruvian legislators on Tuesday evening approved a proposal that Boluarte supported to push up elections for president and Congress to April 2024. The elections were originally scheduled to be held in 2026.
However, the plan, which would add one article to Peru's Constitution, must be ratified by another two-thirds majority in the next annual legislative session for it to be adopted. Over the weekend, the new president urged lawmakers to not be blind and listen to the people's demand for an early election.
Boluarte's administration also enacted a nationwide state of emergency last week amid violent protests that would last for 30 days in an attempt to calm the chaos. The clashes between protesters and law enforcement have already resulted in the death of at least 21 people and the injury of hundreds of others.
Peruvian officials' crackdown on the demonstrations has also drawn criticism and calls for restraint from human rights groups and international observers. Also, Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard posted pictures on Twitter showing Castillo's wife and his children at the airport in Mexico City.
The Lima government, which felt slighted by Obrador's support for Castillo, declared on Tuesday the Mexican ambassador persona non grata. Officials gave the envoy, Pablo Monroy, 72 hours to leave the country, France24 reported.
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