Former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo Sentenced to 11 Years, 5 Months and 15 Days for Attempt to Dissolve Congress

A Peruvian court on Thursday sentenced former president Pedro Castillo to 11 years, five months and 15 days in prison after finding him guilty of attempting to dissolve Congress on December 7, 2022.

The ruling closes a long-running political crisis that began when Castillo, then facing a third round of impeachment proceedings, delivered a televised address declaring a state of emergency and announcing the suspension of the legislature. Congress responded by voting to remove him from office; he was arrested later that day.

Charges and Trial

Castillo, a former teacher and union leader from Peru’s rural north, was charged with rebellion and conspiracy against the state. Prosecutors said his actions amounted to an attempted power grab aimed at undermining the Constitution, while Castillo rejected the accusations at trial, saying he had merely read "a document without consequence." At sentencing he faced a potential term of up to 34 years.

Aftermath and Protests

Castillo’s arrest sparked protests and road blockades by Indigenous and rural supporters, particularly in southern regions. The unrest evolved into prolonged nationwide demonstrations that were met with a harsh security response under his successor, Dina Boluarte. Rights groups and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights have accused authorities of using "disproportionate, indiscriminate and lethal use of force" during the crackdown, which investigations and reporting say left at least 50 people dead.

Political and Diplomatic Fallout

The case has exacerbated political instability in Peru, a country that has seen numerous presidents face investigations and criminal charges in recent years. During the nine-month trial, diplomatic tensions flared when Mexico’s embassy granted asylum to Castillo’s former prime minister, Betssy Chávez, who also faced charges related to the alleged attempt to consolidate power. Peruvian authorities subsequently declared Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum "persona non grata" following her vocal support for Castillo.

Detention and Other Former Leaders

Court authorities denied Castillo the option of serving his sentence under house arrest. He is scheduled to serve his term at Barbadillo Prison in Lima, a facility on a police academy campus used to house former leaders considered at risk in ordinary jails. Barbadillo already holds several ex-presidents convicted in separate cases, including Ollanta Humala, Alejandro Toledo and Martín Vizcarra.

The sentencing marks another chapter in Peru’s recent years of political turbulence, with continuing debates at home and abroad over accountability, the rule of law and the government response to social unrest.