Correspondent in Lima
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The decision of the President of Peru, Pedro Castillo, to relieve the chief of Police, Javier Gallardo, has not been enough to settle his new government crisis. At the departure of the Minister of the Interior, Avelino Guillén, is added that of the Prime Minister, Mirtha Vasquez, who leaves office due to the president’s treatment of Guillén.
The government crisis began after the presentation, last Friday, of the resignation of the Minister of the Interior, Avelino Guillén, after having asked the president to remove Gallardo from office, accused of allowing acts of corruption in the promotions and transfers of police officers as well as well as to dismantle key organizations where the corruption of high-level politicians such as Vladimir Cerrón, leader of Peru Libre, the party that brought him to power, is investigated.
On Sunday night, President Castillo met with the outgoing Minister of the Interior and the Prime Minister. After that appointment, it was expected that the differences between the head of state and Guillén would be resolved, but at the end of the appointment, on the presidential Twitter account he thanked Guillen for his services.
The outgoing Gallardo was part of President Castillo’s circle of friends who have formed a ‘shadow cabinet’, which is led by presidential adviser Biberto Castillo León. The ‘shadow cabinet’ supports the idea of having people ‘loyal’ to the president in the hat as police chiefs.
As I have always announced in my speeches, the cabinet is constantly being evaluated. For this reason, I have decided to renew it and form a new team. I appreciate the support of @MirtyVas and state ministers. We will continue on the path of development for the good of the country.
– Pedro Castillo Terrones (@PedroCastilloTe) January 31, 2022
The continuity of the Prime Minister, Mirtha Vásquez, and that of the Minister of Economy and Finance, Pedro Francke, was in the air, as they had warned of their intention to resign from their positions in protest at the mistreatment of the lawyer and former prosecutor specializing in corruption Avelino Guillén. According to them, President Castillo does not show a real commitment against corruption and allows the ‘shadow cabinet’ to make the decisions at the end of the day.
A few minutes ago, Castillo announced on his Twitter account the departure of the prime minister: «As I have always announced in my speeches, the cabinet is constantly being evaluated. For this reason, I have decided to renew it and form a new team. I appreciate the support of @MirtyVas and Ministers of State. We will continue on the path of development for the good of the country.”
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