The tumultuous political saga of former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo has reached a critical juncture. The nation’s Supreme Court has handed down a definitive sentence of more than 11 years in prison for his failed 2022 attempt to dissolve Congress and rule by decree. The ruling convicts the former leader on charges of conspiracy to commit rebellion, drawing a line under one of the most dramatic and short-lived “self-coups” in recent Latin American history.
Castillo, a former rural schoolteacher who was hailed as the “president of the poor” upon his unexpected election victory in 2021, received a sentence of 11 years, five months, and 15 days in prison. This verdict comes nearly two years after the day in December 2022 that saw his presidency collapse within hours. Facing an impeachment vote, Castillo made a televised announcement declaring he would shut down the opposition-dominated Congress, institute an emergency government, and call for a new constituent assembly.
The ill-fated power grab was swiftly rejected by his own government ministers, the armed forces, and the police. Castillo was impeached and arrested later that same day while attempting to flee to the Mexican embassy to seek asylum. Prosecutors had initially sought a much longer sentence, but the Supreme Court ultimately convicted him solely on the charge of conspiracy to commit rebellion against the constitutional order, acquitting him of separate charges of abuse of power and disturbing public order.
The court’s decision also includes an 11 and a half year sentence for his co-conspirator and former Prime Minister, Betssy Chávez. Chávez, however, was granted asylum by the Mexican government before the eight month trial concluded, an act that caused Peru to sever diplomatic ties with Mexico over what it termed an “unfriendly act.”
Castillo’s conviction adds his name to a growing and sobering list of former Peruvian presidents who have been jailed on criminal charges. He is currently imprisoned at a special penitentiary for ex-leaders in Lima alongside former Presidents Ollanta Humala and Alejandro Toledo. The ruling came just one day after another former head of state, Martín Vizcarra, was also sentenced to 14 years for bribe-taking.
For many of his working-class and rural supporters, the sentence represents an injustice against a leader they believe was targeted by the country’s entrenched political elite. Castillo’s arrest in 2022 sparked mass protests that rocked the nation for months, leading to over 50 deaths in clashes with security forces. His successor, Vice President Dina Boluarte, who was sworn in immediately after his removal, also faced immense political turmoil and was recently removed from office following a deeply unpopular tenure.
While the court’s judgment offers a degree of legal closure, Castillo and his former ministers are entitled to appeal the decision. This long-awaited verdict is another dramatic chapter in Peru’s ongoing political crisis, highlighting the deep instability and persistent clash between its executive and legislative branches that has plagued the nation for years.