Impeachment Roulette

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A group of left-wing lawmakers submitted a motion to impeach Peruvian President Dina Boluarte over her handling of the mass demonstrations that have gripped the Andean nation following the removal of her predecessor last month, Al Jazeera reported Thursday.

The legislators – allies of ousted President Pedro Castillo – filed the motion on the grounds of Boluarte’s alleged “permanent moral incapacity” in dealing with the weeks-long protests that have led to the deaths of more than 50 people.

Peru has been grappling with violent unrest since last month after Congress voted to remove Castillo, who had attempted to dissolve the legislature and rule by decree.

Authorities arrested Castillo shortly after his ousting and charged him with rebellion. Boluarte, his vice president, was sworn in soon afterward.

At the same time, Castillo’s supporters protested across the country, demanding Boluarte’s resignation, new elections and the dissolution of Congress.

Boluarte, meanwhile, has called for a “truce.”

Observers said that the left-wing legislators will need to secure the necessary votes to bring their motion up for debate. They added, however, that conservative politicians supporting Boluarte control the legislature.