Key Points:
- Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzen submitted his resignation Tuesday before a scheduled no-confidence vote.
- Lawmakers blamed him for failing to contain Peru’s growing wave of extortion and organized crime.
- His resignation signals broader instability in President Dina Boluarte’s administration, already under fire for corruption and civil unrest.
- A complete cabinet shakeup is now triggered under Peruvian constitutional law.
LIMA — Peru’s Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzen resigned on Tuesday, just hours before a looming vote of no confidence in Congress, marking the latest chapter in the country’s mounting political volatility and its deepening security crisis.
The resignation, submitted as “irrevocable” in a formal letter, was confirmed by government sources and broadcast from Peru’s Government Palace. Adrianzen, a close confidant of President Dina Boluarte, had taken office less than two months ago and quickly became a focal point of criticism over the government’s failure to curb a surge in organized crime.
“I have tendered my irrevocable resignation in defense of democratic governance,” Adrianzen said in a televised statement, stressing that he leaves with a clear conscience.
Background
Adrianzen, a former lawyer and diplomat, was the third prime minister under Boluarte since she assumed office in December 2022 after the ousting of former President Pedro Castillo. His resignation comes as Peru faces an unprecedented wave of killings, extortion, and intimidation, much of it attributed to transnational gangs.
Lawmakers from both the left and right had demanded Adrianzen’s ouster, accusing him of ineffective leadership during the crime crisis. Under Peruvian law, the fall of the prime minister requires the entire cabinet to step down, forcing a full reshuffle.
According to Agence France-Presse, Adrianzen’s resignation follows weeks of public outrage and political pressure, particularly over his handling of emergency security operations in cities plagued by extortion and contract killings.
Driving the News
Peru has declared multiple states of emergency in key regions in response to surging violence. The criminal gang Tren de Aragua, originally from Venezuela, has expanded its operations in Peru, bringing sophisticated extortion schemes, contract killings, and control over transportation and commerce.
The Boluarte government has deployed the military to supplement overwhelmed police forces, but critics argue that these actions lack coordination and accountability.
“Organized crime is no longer a latent threat — it is a daily reality for millions of Peruvians,” said lawmaker Ruth Luque, urging deeper institutional reform and accountability, as reported by Reuters.
What’s Next
- President Boluarte must now appoint a new prime minister and reconstitute her cabinet within 30 days, or risk further constitutional crisis.
- Meanwhile, fresh protests are expected across Lima and other cities, fueled by long-standing discontent over corruption, police abuse, and economic inequality.
- Boluarte, who governs without a political party, continues to rely on a fragile alliance with right-wing lawmakers in Congress to maintain power.
Outlook
Adrianzen’s resignation underscores the fragile state of Peruvian governance, where six presidents have cycled through office in the past seven years. With criminal violence escalating and public trust deteriorating, the government faces rising pressure to deliver real reforms — or risk broader civil unrest.
(This article includes verified information sourced from Agence France-Presse (AFP) and Reuters)
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