What’s behind Peru’s political crisis? Who are the players? And what might happen next?

Peru has been gripped by protests and political intrigue since the ouster of its former president, Pedro Castillo, on December 7.

The South American country’s security forces imposed a 30-day state of emergency on December 14, banning demonstrations, curtailing freedom of movement and allowing police to search homes without a warrant.

The country had a short break during the Christmas and New Year holidays, but protests have continued in force in some of Peru’s poorest regions. At least 40 people have been killed and hundreds injured in the protests so far, including 17 civilians killed on January 9, the deadliest day.

Castillo’s opponents say he was charged constitutionally after exceeding his authority by attempting to dissolve the country’s congress ahead of an impeachment attempt by lawmakers.

Supporters of the former union leader say he was unfairly removed and imprisoned by the country’s political establishment, as he must be allowed to continue in government or new elections must be held.

The Andean nation is the world’s second largest copper exporter but is riddled with structural inequality and poverty.

CBC News breaks down Peru’s political crisis, how the country got to this point and what’s next.

Who is in charge now?

Dina Boluarte, who was Castillo’s vice president, was sworn into office on December 7, the same day Castillo was ousted.

She was the country’s first female president and was not a prominent politician before she came to power.

He supported plans to push back the 2024 presidential and congressional elections that were originally scheduled for 2026. He also expressed support for a judicial inquiry into whether security forces acted with excessive force.

But these movements have so far failed to address the unrest.

Peru’s top prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into Boluarte and cabinet members over violent clashes.

However, the new government won the confidence of the Congress by a wide margin. The loss would lead to a cabinet reshuffle and the resignation of Prime Minister Alberto Otarola.

More than 70 percent of Peruvians disapprove of Boluarte’s ascension to the presidency, according to polling data from December cited by local newspaper La Republica. Forty-four percent approve of Castillo’s efforts to shut down congress, the same poll found.

Two cabinet ministers, Education Minister Patricia Correa and Culture Minister Jair Perez, resigned in the face of continued violence.

“State violence cannot be disproportionate and cause death,” Correa said via Twitter on Friday.

Who is former president Pedro Castillo?

Castillo is a political outsider who led a rural teachers’ union in one of Peru’s poorest regions before winning the presidency in 2021.

He campaigns to reduce inequality, promote social inclusion and fight corruption. The message resonates with poor and indigenous communities in rural areas largely left behind by Peru’s mining-driven economic boom.

Rivals painted Castillo as a radical Marxist; he was elected by a margin of less than 50,000 votes.

In office, many analysts consider the 53-year-old an ineffective leader. Other lawmakers tried to impeach him three times before trying to dissolve congress, and he spent more time fending off challenges from other politicians than delivering the results he promised.

Where is Castillo now?

Today, Castillo sits in a jail cell in 18 months of pretrial detention while being investigated for “rebellion and conspiracy.”

His supporters thought it was unfair.

“This shouldn’t have happened,” one pro-Castillo protester told the CBC National last month. “He was kidnapped. We are hurt by this injustice.”

What are other countries saying about Castillo’s dismissal?

Several Latin American countries – particularly those with leftist governments, including Mexico, Argentina, Colombia and Bolivia – have voted for Castillo.

Chile, led by a leftist leader, and Brazil’s incoming president said Castillo was removed through legitimate constitutional means.

Canada, the European Union and the United States have supported the new government and criticized Castillo.

The United Nations and the Organization of American States have accepted the transition as legitimate and have recognized the new government, reports CBC’s Evan Dyer.

The UN, however, has expressed “deep concern” over reports of deaths during protests and arrests of minors who took part in demonstrations.

How did the riots affect tourism?

With historic sites like Machu Picchu and the colonial city of Cusco, as well as a new food scene, Peru has become a popular tourist destination.

Global Affairs Canada advises travelers to “exercise caution due to crime, social conflict and attacks.”

It also advises non-essential travel to four regions – Arequipa; Cusco, including the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu; Ica; and Puno — for “violent demonstrations related to the political situation.”

What happens next?

Now, the unrest looks set to continue. Beluarte has served as president of Peru six times in as many years. Castillo’s supporters have called for his reinstatement or at least new elections.

After initially suggesting that Castillo complete the remaining 3.5 years, Boluarte then proposed holding new elections in December 2023. This may not please his critics.

Some analysts say Peru’s political turmoil needs a deeper solution. Some have proposed a new constitution; others say that the country needs more structured political parties so that the government can last longer and actually get things done.

“This is the latest cycle of this cycle of instability,” said Patrick Clark, a professor at York University in Toronto who studies the country. National of the recent unrest. “I think this protest comes from people who are angry.”