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| Peruvian constitutional crisis of 2020 | |
|---|---|
| Name | Peruvian constitutional crisis of 2020 |
| Date | November–December 2020 |
| Location | Lima, Peru |
| Type | Constitutional crisis |
| Participants | Martín Vizcarra, Manuel Merino, Francisco Sagasti, Congress of the Republic, Peruvian Armed Forces, Peruvian National Police |
Peruvian constitutional crisis of 2020 The Peruvian constitutional crisis of 2020 was a political confrontation triggered by the removal of President Martín Vizcarra by the Congress and the brief presidency of Manuel Merino, followed by the inauguration of Francisco Sagasti as interim president. The crisis involved clashes among the executive, the legislature, the judiciary, and security forces, producing mass protests and international scrutiny. Key issues included impeachment procedures under the Constitution of Peru, allegations of corruption, questions about democratic norms, and responses from regional organizations such as the Organization of American States.
The crisis occurred against a backdrop of recurring political instability in Peru marked by the 2017 resignation of Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, the 2018 presidency of Ollanta Humala's successors, and the 2019 dissolution of the Congress by Martín Vizcarra's administration. Tensions between Martín Vizcarra and Congress intensified over the Anti-corruption agenda, including investigations linked to the Club de la Construcción and the Odebrecht scandal, which implicated figures such as Alan García, Alejandro Toledo, and Keiko Fujimori. Prior confrontations involved institutions like the National Jury of Elections, the Public Ministry, and the Constitutional Court of Peru in disputes over reforms proposed by Vizcarra and legislative initiatives from blocs aligned with parties such as Fuerza Popular, APRA, Peruanos Por el Kambio, and Acción Popular.
In September–November 2020, the Congress initiated impeachment proceedings against Martín Vizcarra alleging "moral incapacity" tied to alleged irregularities in contracts during his tenure as Governor of Moquegua. On November 9, 2020, a first impeachment attempt failed amid divisions within caucuses including Fuerza Popular and Frente Amplio. A second motion advanced after testimony involving advisers and contractors linked to regional projects, leading to the removal vote on November 9–10, 2020. Following the vacancy declaration, Manuel Merino, then president of Congress, claimed succession and was sworn in on November 10, 2020. Protests erupted in Lima and cities such as Arequipa, Trujillo, Cusco, and Chiclayo, with demonstrations targeting figures including Manuel Merino, legislators from Fuerza Popular, and former presidents like Alan García (posthumously referenced) and Alejandro Toledo. Security force responses, involving the Peruvian National Police and units of the Peruvian Armed Forces, led to clashes resulting in deaths and injuries among protesters, notably the killing of protesters in Lima on November 14, 2020. Amid mounting pressure, ministers resigned, and on November 15, 2020, Manuel Merino resigned the presidency. The Congress then designated Francisco Sagasti as interim president on November 17, 2020, to lead until the inauguration under the scheduled 2021 transition.
Contestation focused on the interpretation of "moral incapacity" under the Constitution of Peru and the procedural requirements for impeachment as set by the legislature and adjudicated by the Constitutional Court of Peru. Legal scholars debated whether the vacancy followed due process involving evidentiary standards, the role of the Public Ministry investigations, and precedents from cases involving Alberto Fujimori and Alejandro Toledo. Questions arose about the National Jury of Elections's competencies and the limits of congressional oversight over the Presidency of the Republic (Peru), with references to jurisprudence from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and opinions from the Organization of American States on democratic stability.
Key actors included Martín Vizcarra, Manuel Merino, Francisco Sagasti, congressional caucuses such as Fuerza Popular, Podemos Perú, Alianza para el Progreso, and institutional figures like the president of Congress and ministers from cabinets overlapping with administrations of Pedro Pablo Kuczynski and Ollanta Humala. Oversight institutions included the Public Ministry, the Defensoría del Pueblo, the Constitutional Court of Peru, and law enforcement bodies including the Peruvian National Police and the Peruvian Armed Forces, whose chain-of-command involved the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of the Interior.
Public mobilization featured mass demonstrations in urban centers like Lima, Arequipa, Trujillo, and Cusco, with prominent participation from student groups at institutions such as the National University of San Marcos, unions including the General Confederation of Workers of Peru, and civil society organizations like Transparency International (Peru chapters) and the Oxfam network. Protesters used social media platforms and organized marches near sites like the Plaza San Martín and the Congress building. Responses included peaceful assemblies, strikes, and occupations, alongside clashes involving the Peruvian National Police that raised concerns invoked by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and human rights NGOs such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.
Domestic elites including political leaders from parties like Fuerza Popular, Acción Popular, and APRA issued statements; some backed the congressional action while others condemned it. Prominent Peruvian institutions, such as the Defensoría del Pueblo and the Public Ministry, called for investigations. International actors including the Organization of American States, the United Nations, the European Union, and representatives from countries like United States, Spain, Argentina, Chile, and Mexico expressed concern and urged constitutional adherence and restraint. Financial markets and rating agencies monitored reactions involving entities like the Central Reserve Bank of Peru and international investors, while transnational media such as BBC News, El País, and The New York Times covered developments.
Aftermath included political recalibration: resignation of ministers, reshuffling within caucuses like Fuerza Popular and Alianza para el Progreso, and forward movement on anti-corruption reforms advocated by figures such as Martín Vizcarra and supported by civil society organizations including Proética (Peru). The episode influenced discourse ahead of the 2021 general election involving candidates from parties like Perú Libre, Fuerza Popular, Acción Popular, and Alianza Para el Progreso (Perú), and affected public trust metrics measured by polling firms such as Instituto de Estudios Peruanos and Datum Internacional. Legal scrutiny persisted through ongoing inquiries by the Public Ministry and potential constitutional review by the Constitutional Court of Peru, while regional bodies such as the Organization of American States continued to advocate institutional reforms and democratic safeguards.
Category:Politics of Peru