These have not been the best days for Pedro Castillo's government, especially after the announcement of a curfew for Lima and Callao that ended in protests, destruction and looting in the historic center of Lima. In this regard, political scientist Alexandra Ames shared with Infobae Peru her impressions of the decisions that the Executive should take to stop the crisis that today faces.
What does the decision to impose a curfew reveal about the government of Pedro Castillo?
Definitely the consolidation of improvisation, but before that it also reveals the desperation of knowing that they do not have real leadership that allows them to better control society.
This was demonstrated by the presence of people on the streets on April 5.
It was really a failure, to the point that the president had to suspend the measure. Despite the fact that Pedro Castillo had said by word that he repealed the rule, the truth is that it was still hung in El Peruano without a supplementary letter that would formally repeal it. We are facing a president of the republic who does not legitimize his own decisions through regulatory frameworks and that is worrying enough.
Do you think that the curfew was the worst decision after the start of the protests?
What we have is the sum of a series of bad decisions. It is not the worst, but it is the drop that spilled the glass of water because people are very indignant to learn that the measure that was being taken was not going to solve people's real problems. It has been seen that people have left in different parts of the capital, in neighborhoods far from what is understood as modern Lima or the center of Lima where pans have been heard where this had never happened before.
The fact that the measure was generated by an alleged intelligence report brings again into discussion the capacity of those around the president.
It was intended to avoid looting when it was what we finally saw the next day. The message that is being given to us between the lines is that we are facing a government that does not know how to take control in times of crisis. This is where we most need serious and responsible leadership with knowledgeable technical teams that can implement real solutions.
“Pueblo” being one of the most repeated words by President Castillo, the announced decision seemed to have forgotten the impact it could have on it.
I don't think this government has shown genuine attachment to the people, it's a narrative they used during campaign time that has helped them to come to power. When a government does not surround itself with the best technicians to solve the country's public problems, we are faced with a leader who turns his back on the people who are the citizens who most need the state. Nothing can be solved with improvised, disabled teams and less with teams that have questions related to public integrity.
Would surround yourself with good technicians be a lifesaver for Pedro Castillo or is it too late?
The government has devolved in recent months, but after what happened last week it has reached a turning point of no return. Pedro Castillo has two paths: to prepare for an exit in the next few days or weeks or to take a radical turn, in a good sense of the word, to what he has been doing either by forming a team of ministers and deputy ministers that will allow the country to land. I find this last option very unlikely.
Is the appointment of the new Minister of Health a first sign of how the president understood citizen sentiment?
The new Minister of Health is a clear example that there is no real interest in showing change. The characters change, but not the attitudes or what each one of them represents. Condori comes out, but someone very similar to him comes in.
What would be the radical change you mentioned?
It happens that we have reached a point where I don't think citizens will be happy with a change of cabinet. Despite measures to stop the protests, people continued to leave and it was worse, The price hike was the starting point of the social movement, but it has already taken a back seat. Let us remember what happened in Chile. After the rise in metro prices, the government decided to do something four days later when that was no longer what citizens were demanding. We are still facing politicians who are not connecting with the real problem.
Castillo's departure would lead Dina Boluarte to the presidency, but, like Vizcarra, she would arrive without support in Congress and born of a delegitimized government.
She herself pointed out that if she was the president, she would resign. I'd like to keep what you promised.
That is, it would be necessary to assume María del Carmen Alva what would mean a call for general elections.
That's what the president of Congress would have to do in a situation like this. Let's hope it happens and does not intend to remain in power because although Pedro Castillo has a great disapproval today, Congress has an even greater disapproval.
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