Colombian president calls arrest of Peruvian counterpart 'scandalous'

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said on Friday that it was scandalous that the Peruvian justice system is keeping former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo in detention, whose dismissal and arrest have set the country ablaze.

In Peru, "

", declared Gustavo Petro to the press.

Asked about a possible recognition of Dina Boluarte, the former vice-president of Castillo who succeeded him on December 7, the Colombian head of state denied having exchanged "

".

"

," said Gustavo Petro.

Peru's Supreme Court decided on Thursday evening to keep Pedro Castillo in detention until June 2024. He is being prosecuted for "

" and "

" after what his opponents called a failed coup.

Thousands of people took to the streets across Peru to demand his release, the dissolution of Congress and early elections.

The demonstrations have already killed 18 people, notably during clashes with soldiers, mobilized as part of the national state of emergency.

“

,” said Gustavo Petro who, together with the left-wing presidents of Mexico, Argentina and Bolivia, is closing ranks around Pedro Castillo.

“

,” he added.

The former Peruvian head of state, a rural teacher of modest origins who spent a year and a half in power, intended in particular to dissolve Parliament and govern by decree.

This because of the opposition which did not allow him to do his job and the racist treatment which was reserved for him, he justified.

He had been arrested while trying to find refuge in the Mexican embassy in Lima.