Peru: Political uncertainty amid presidential crisis /update 3

Event

Peru is currently in a period of political uncertainty following the March 21 resignation announcement by President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski. Vice President Martín Vizcarra will likely be sworn in as president in the capital Lima on Friday, March 23. However, the Congress has not yet accepted the resignation of President Kuczynski, an issue that will be put to a vote on Friday. If the resignation is not accepted, Kuczynski would remain president but impeachment proceedings would likely be immediately launched.

Thousands of people protested in the capital on Thursday evening to denounce Kuczynski as well as the entire Congress, chanting “Que se vayan todos” (Everyone Out) and some calling for early elections. Presidential elections are currently not scheduled to take place until 2021.

The Peruvian police have been on “maximum alert” throughout the country since March 21. The measures have been taken as a precaution due to the potential for social unrest (violent protests, rioting) amid the political turmoil. However, Thursday’s protest remained non-violent. 

Context

President Kuczynski offered his resignation on March 21 ahead of a planned impeachment vote set for March 22. Kuczynski has been embroiled in scandal in recent months (he is accused of accepting bribes from the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht) and narrowly avoided being impeached in December 2017. On March 20, a video surfaced showing Kuczynski's political allies offering state contracts to a lawmaker from the political opposition in exchange for an anti-impeachment vote; Kuczynski subsequently lost the remaining political support he had to remain in power.

Advice

Individuals in Peru are advised to avoid all demonstrations as a precaution and to closely monitor the situation.