Enlarge image
Investigator with Pedro Castillo (blue jacket)
Photo: - / AFP
Deposed Peruvian President Pedro Castillo has been arrested.
The state news agency Andina reported that he was being questioned by prosecutors in the prefecture in Lima.
The power struggle between Parliament and the President had previously escalated.
Congress had impeached Castillo.
101 members of Congress voted in favor of the motion of no confidence in the head of state, six against and ten abstained.
In this case, the constitution stipulates that the Vice President, Dina Boluarte, takes over the official business.
Shortly before the vote, Castillo announced the dissolution of Congress and a new parliamentary election.
He imposed a night curfew and said he wanted to temporarily rule with decrees.
"Congress has destroyed the rule of law, democracy and the balance of government powers," Castillo said.
"We call on all civil society institutions and all social groups to support the decision."
"This is a coup d'etat"
However, Castillo had apparently miscalculated: After he announced the dissolution of the congress, numerous cabinet members refused to support him, above all Vice President Boluarte.
“I oppose Pedro Castillo's decision to dissolve the Congress to bring about the collapse of the constitutional order.
This is a coup that aggravates the political and institutional crisis that Peruvian society must overcome in strict compliance with the law," she wrote on Twitter.
Numerous ministers resigned after Castillo's speech.
"Because the rule of law has been violated and in accordance with my democratic principles, I hereby submit my irrevocable resignation as Minister of Economy and Finance," wrote Finance Minister Kurt Burneo on Twitter.
Foreign Minister César Landa and Justice Minister Felix Chero also made their positions available.
Attorney General Benavides said: "We strongly reject the violation of the constitutional order."
The opposition also spoke of a coup d'etat.
“He mustn't do what he just did.
It's illegal," MP Martha Moyano of the right-wing party Fuerza Popular told radio station RPP.
Her fellow party member Héctor Ventura said: "The armed forces today must respect the democratic order." MP and former admiral José Cueto wrote on Twitter: "What Pedro Castillo has done is a coup d'état.
The armed forces will support the constitution and not the dictator.«
Already survived two impeachment proceedings
Castillo's government has been under pressure since the former village school teacher took office in July last year.
Because of various allegations or differences of opinion, important ministers repeatedly vacated their posts.
Just two weeks ago, Castillo appointed a new head of cabinet – the fifth in just under a year and a half.
Since taking office, Castillo has survived two impeachment trials.
The government of left-wing politician Castillo found itself in a permanent power struggle with parliament.
Most recently, Congress refused the head of state permission to travel to the Pacific Alliance summit in Mexico, thereby canceling the meeting.
Two of Castillo's predecessors had been removed from office in similar proceedings.
aeh/dpa