he December 7, 2022then-president Pedro Castillo A failed attempt was made Self-coup in Peruan episode that led to his dismissal and subsequent sentencing 11 years, 5 months and 15 days From prison. The sequence of events, reconstructed from testimony, transcripts, and judicial decisions, accurately describes the actions taken by Castillo and his associates in the critical hours of that day.
On December 6, 2022, one day before the attempted coup, Castillo, through the then Minister of Defense, Gustavo Bobbio Rosas, ordered the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Walter Horacio Cordova AlemaN, he will submit his letter of resignation. This request conflicts with current regulations, which guarantee commanders-in-chief a mandatory two-year term in office.
Cordova Aleman initially refused to sign the resignation and requested a direct meeting with the president, explaining that his departure was due to a presidential instruction and not a voluntary decision.
night of December 6, At 9:49 p.m., Castillo met in the presidential office with Anibal Torres and Betsy Chavez, his main political collaborators, to prepare the content of the message to the nation that would announce the dissolution of Congress. This meeting was recorded on the security camera in the Golden Room of the Government Palace.
Expert analysis confirmed that at 10:52 p.m., a file called “DOC message” was created on an external storage device, a document directly linked to Castillo, Chavez and Torres, who were meeting at the time.
On December 7, in the morning, coordination was made to convey the message with reservation. Castillo and Chavez explained that the statement would be broadcast on the Peru Television Signal, a state-controlled channel. To do this, Chavez instructed the Secretary General of the Ministry of Culture, juan navarro, Which he will administer to the CEO of IRTP, Fernando AliagaThe presence of a press crew at the headquarters of the Presidency of the Republic Council of Ministers (PCM).
Chavez Chino wrote to the group that included ministers: “Ministers, come immediately to the Cabinet meeting at 10:46 am. Today is a historic day.”
The efforts were characterized by the exclusion of the usual communications team at the Government Palace, which demonstrated an unusual and secretive handling of information. The regular press team was not informed or summoned, and was not assisted prompter.
At approximately 11:48 a.m., Pedro Castillo finished reading a message to the nation from the Government Palace. In that statement, he announced the temporary dissolution of the Republic’s Congress, the formation of an emergency government, and a series of exceptional measures. At the time, he received immediate support from then-Prime Minister Anibal Torres and Prime Minister Betsy Chavez.
Peruvian TV correspondent, Cynthia MalpartidaIt was reported that after the message, Chavez congratulated Chino Castillo and they both hugged for five seconds. Later, the then-President and Anibal Torres also embraced, and the gestures were interpreted as signs of support for the attempt to break the constitutional order.
After he finished his speech… fort Talk to constellations and ChavezWho, according to witness statements, did not raise any objection. The court considered that these hugs show compliance and approval of the decision taken.
Castillo and Torres then contacted other senior officials, including the then Secretary of Defense, Gustavo Bobbio Rosas. There he asked Bobo Rosas for the decision to appoint a new Commander-in-Chief of the Army, which he signed and delivered, expressing his intention to ensure institutional support from the Army. armed forces.
At 12:01 a.m., via the then Minister of Interior, Willie Huerta OlivasPresident Castillo called the Commander-in-Chief of the National Police, Raul Enrique Alvaro Alvarado. Castillo ordered him to close Congress, prevent all people from entering, expel those inside it, and intervene with the Attorney General.
Responsible for general command, Vicente Alvarez MorenoHe confirmed that he witnessed the telephone conversation in which Castillo gave those instructions to the police authority, which questioned their legitimacy.
Due to the police’s refusal, A An atmosphere of confusion and alarm within Congress. Vice President of Congress, Martha MoyanoHe ordered preventive measures, while Jose Williams ZapataThe President of the Legislative Council made contact with senior officials of the Armed Forces and the National Police.
The closure of access to Congress has been confirmed by various testimonies and video analyses. Police officers, under orders Lima 7th Police DistrictThey prevented the entry of members of Congress, for example Adriana Tudela and Leslie Olivo In the vicinity of the Legislative Palace.