Peru Faces New Political Shock as Ex-President Castillo Gets 11.5 Years in Prison

Post by : Saif

Peru is once again facing a major political crisis after a court sentenced former President Pedro Castillo to 11.5 years in prison for rebellion and conspiracy. The case goes back to December 2022, when Castillo shocked the nation by announcing that he was dissolving Congress and taking full control of the government. His attempt failed within hours, as the military, police, and even his own ministers refused to support his move. He was arrested immediately, removed from office, and kept in detention as the case continued.

The court’s decision came just one day after another former president, Martín Vizcarra, received a 14-year jail sentence for accepting bribes long before he became president. With these back-to-back verdicts, Peru now has five former leaders who have ended up behind bars. This has deepened the public’s concerns about corruption, instability, and leadership failures in the country.

During his final statement at the trial, Castillo denied the rebellion charges. He said that his speech dissolving Congress was simply “a document without consequence.” But the judges ruled that his actions were serious and aimed at breaking the constitutional order. Although prosecutors had asked for a much longer sentence of 34 years, the court settled on 11.5 years after reviewing the case.

Castillo had come into power in 2021 with strong support from rural and poorer regions. Many of his voters believed he represented them for the first time. However, his time in office was full of clashes with Congress, frequent political tension, and accusations of misconduct. His sudden attempt to take control in 2022 set off violent protests across the country, leaving dozens dead, mostly in areas where he had strong backing.

Peru’s political instability has been a long-standing concern. Since 2018, the nation has gone through six presidents, with resignations, impeachments, and corruption scandals becoming common. Names like Alberto Fujimori, Alejandro Toledo, Ollanta Humala, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, Martín Vizcarra, and now Pedro Castillo are all linked to criminal cases or jail time. This pattern has made many Peruvians lose trust in their leaders, as each government seems to fall into chaos or scandal.

After Castillo’s removal, his vice president Dina Boluarte took power. But her administration also faced anger and protests. In October 2025, Congress removed her too, declaring her “morally unfit” to govern. She was replaced by José Jeri, who is now serving as interim president until July 2026. Peru’s next presidential election is scheduled for April next year, and many citizens hope it will bring a fresh start, although doubts remain.

With yet another former leader sentenced, Peru’s struggle for stability continues. Some citizens believe these verdicts show that the justice system is becoming stronger, while others fear that endless political crises are weakening the country. People are tired of corruption, power struggles, and leaders who fail to deliver honest governance. As the nation prepares for the 2026 elections, Peruvians are hoping for a leader who can finally bring peace, trust, and stability to a country that has been shaken again and again by political storms.

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