Leftist President Pedro Castillo announced Thursday that he will submit to justice to answer for the five cases that the Public Ministry is investigating for alleged acts of corruption in his government.
Castillo said during his message for the celebration of Peru’s 201 years of independence, that he will tell the truth and prove his innocence.
“And even when my family is insulted on a daily basis, and the majesty of the presidency of the Republic is offended, I submit to justice to clarify the crimes that are intended to be imputed to me, with respect for due process and not media justice. . My duty is always to tell the truth, just as my parents taught me, so I will collaborate within the framework of the Constitution”, indicated the head of state.
The prosecution is investigating Castillo for the irregular promotions in the Armed Forces and the National Police in November of last year. Also for an alleged favoring of a company to achieve a contract with the Peruvian state oil company and for the alleged plagiarism in his master’s thesis. Another ongoing investigation refers to the bidding for a bridge in the country’s jungle.
More recently, the prosecution is investigating an “alleged cover-up” to avoid catching fugitives from his government, including Bruno Pacheco, who was Castillo’s personal secretary. In recent days, Pacheco confessed that the president gave the order to facilitate his escape in March, when his preventive detention was issued for three years. He also said that there was a network of bribes to promote members of the Police, according to the authorities.
Castillo admits “mistakes” and criticizes the press
During his speech on Thursday, Castillo made a self-criticism for the high turnover of officials in his administration. “I must admit that we have made mistakes with some designations, as well as providing confidence to those who took advantage and mocked it,” he said.
The rural teacher’s government has appointed about 60 ministers.
On Thursday, Castillo took the opportunity to criticize the press: “The media, for the most part, have made sure that we remain uninformed. Is information about Peru’s economic growth spread? Is it known that Peru is the country that has grown the most in the region? ”, He questioned.
The comment about the press comes weeks after the report released in June by the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) on the state of freedom of expression in Peru, whose diagnosis indicated the existence of “ a climate of tension between the Government, Congress and the media. Various forms of violence and harassment against journalists” as a result of the institutional crisis experienced in 2020 and the electoral campaign last year.
recent pledges
Among the promises for the second year of government, the Peruvian president indicated on Thursday that he will grant a food bonus for the most vulnerable people, work will be done on a reform of the pension system, his government will strengthen state entities that ensure the rights of women and there will be an increase in investment in social programs.
During his speech, Castillo did not mention his former Minister of Transport, Juan Silva, or his nephew Fray Vásquez, who are also fugitives after the prosecution named them in the alleged acts of government corruption.
This fact unleashed the reaction of the opposition that began to call him “corrupt” and demand the resignation of the president in the session room of Parliament.
In the streets of Lima there were also demonstrations for and against the government.
Opinion polls show that Castillo has a disapproval rate of around 80%.
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