Can Peru's Democracy Survive?

Peru’s democracy is undergoing a coup by its Congress—say some analysts. After fraught elections during Covid in 2021 brought an unprepared leftist to the presidency and that president’s impeachment in 2022, the vast majority of Peruvians called for early elections. But, these calls fell on the deaf ears of a Congress that is pursuing its own particularistic interests and is dominated by rightist factions. The current president, Dina Boluarte (the 2021-2022 vice-president)  appears interested in her own survival and does the bidding of the Congress. The evidence of authorities’ complicity in the abuse of democratic institutions and in corruption is abundant. For example, in mid- 2024, at a time of surging crime, the Congress passed new laws impeding criminal prosecutions. The approval rating of both Peru’s president and its Congress is 5 percent, the lowest in Latin America.

Speakers:

Cynthia McClintock, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs

Francisco Sagasti, former President of Peru

Stephen McFarland, former Ambassador to Guatemala