A dramatic fall from power: Peru’s once-celebrated ‘president of the poor’ now faces more than a decade behind bars. But was it justice—or political vengeance? That’s the question dividing Peru today.
On Thursday, Peru’s Supreme Court handed former president Pedro Castillo an exceptionally precise sentence—11 years, five months, and 15 days in prison. The charge: rebellion, after his explosive attempt in December 2022 to dissolve Congress and seize power by decree. The failed coup unfolded in real time, triggering chaos across the nation and sealing Castillo’s political downfall.
Castillo’s story is one of stunning ascent and equally swift collapse. Once hailed as Peru’s first leader from a poor, rural background, the former schoolteacher and union activist entered politics promising to champion ordinary citizens who felt ignored by the elite. Yet less than a year and a half after taking office, he was impeached and arrested the very same day he tried to outmaneuver a hostile, opposition-controlled Congress.
But here’s where it gets more complicated. Castillo’s conviction came just one day after another leftwing former president, Martín Vizcarra, was sentenced to 14 years for accepting bribes while serving as a regional governor. Vizcarra now joins ex-leaders Ollanta Humala and Alejandro Toledo in a special prison in Lima designed exclusively for former presidents—an unsettling reflection on Peru’s turbulent and corruption-plagued politics. Castillo, 56, had been awaiting his verdict there as well.
The chain of events that led to Castillo’s downfall reads like a political thriller. Facing yet another impeachment attempt for alleged corruption, he made a desperate move to dissolve the legislature and govern by decree—an act most saw as a constitutional breach. Instead of rallying support, his gambit backfired spectacularly as cabinet members and allies abandoned him. He was arrested shortly afterward while fleeing with his family toward the Mexican embassy, where he intended to seek asylum.
Prosecutors initially pushed for a staggering 34-year sentence, arguing that Castillo’s actions posed a serious threat to Peruvian democracy. Nevertheless, the court cleared him of charges related to abuse of power and disturbing the public order, convicting him solely of rebellion.
The plot thickened earlier this month when Castillo’s former prime minister, Betssy Chávez, also facing prosecution, secured asylum at the Mexican embassy—a move that reignited diplomatic outrage. Peru responded by cutting ties with Mexico, labeling the decision an “unfriendly act,” and even hinted at the possibility of raiding the embassy to apprehend her.
Castillo’s arrest ignited fierce protests across Peru’s poorer rural regions, where many viewed him as a symbol of hope and equality. These demonstrations were met with brutal crackdowns that left at least 50 people dead, further deepening national divisions.
His successor, Dina Boluarte—Peru’s former vice-president—struggled to unite the fractured country. Her nearly two-year presidency was plagued by relentless protests, growing insecurity, and accusations of authoritarianism. Ironically, she too was impeached last month after enduring the same kind of congressional hostility that had brought down her predecessor.
So where does this leave Peru? With another president behind bars and the political system in disarray, many Peruvians are questioning whether the cycle of corruption and crisis will ever end—or if the problem lies deeper, in the country’s very structure of power.
What do you think? Was Castillo a reckless leader who betrayed democracy—or a victim of entrenched political elites determined to silence reform? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the debate.
