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In case anyone has missed out on what is happening in Peru, here is a primer:
On Monday, November 9: Peru's Congress voted 105 to 19 to impeach President Martin Vizcarra over corruption. over allegations that he had taken bribes totaling while governor of the southern region of Moquegua from 2011 to 2014. ( https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-54872826)
This likely occurred because of his anti-corruption crusade. Vizcarra banned candidates with convictions from running for office, ended consecutive reelection, curbed parliamentary immunity. ( https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/peru-vizcarra-impeachment-merino/2020/11/10/c134d25e-235f-11eb-952e-0c475972cfc0_story.html)
But, he had to dissolve Congress to push these through. ( https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/01/perus-president-dissolves-congress-to-push-through-anti-corruption-reforms)
Speaker of Congress Manuel Merino (who is on the right) took over as the interim president ( https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/10/world/americas/peru-impeachment.html)
This led to large protests which turned violent. The Peruvian National Police officers fired ammunition, launched tear gas, and beat or violently subdued people. ( https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/11/peru-amnistia-documenta-uso-excesivo-de-la-fuerza-por-policia/)
The Peruvian National Police are accused of killing two people. Amnesty International has counted 94 injured and 41 who have disappeared. ( https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-54948810)
The European Union, the Organization of American States, the archbishop of Lima, the mayor of Lima, Peru’s association of governors, and members of his own centrist Popular Action party all called on him to resign.
On November 15, 11 ministers, including the heads of the interior, justice, trade, and energy and mines, announced their resignations.
The heads of Peru’s armed forces refused to attend an emergency meeting he had called in the presidential palace.
Manuel Merino resigned shortly after. ( https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/peru-president-merino-resigns-vizcarra/2020/11/15/47cb0a54-275c-11eb-92b7-6ef17b3fe3b4_story.html)
The Peruvian Congress is likely to appoint a new president. But, Manuel Merino has said that his cabinet (those who remain) will continue working until there is a new president.
Meanwhile the constitutional court will give a verdict about Vizcarra’s firing. Depending on the ruling, the former president could be reinstated.
