Peru’s interim president Manuel Merino resigns as crisis takes chaotic turn
- The politician agreed to step down after a night of unrest in which two young protesters were killed and half his Cabinet resigned
- The move comes amid a constitutional crisis and as Peru faces one of the world’s worst Covid-19 outbreaks
In a short televised address, Manuel Merino said Congress acted within the law when he was sworn into office as chief of state Tuesday, despite protesters’ allegations that legislators had staged a parliamentary coup.
“I, like everyone, want what’s best for our country,” he said.
The politician agreed to step down after a night of unrest in which two young protesters were killed and half his Cabinet resigned.
Peruvians cheered the decision, waving their nation’s red and white flag on the streets of Lima and chanting “We did it!” But there is still no clear playbook for what comes next.
Congress called an emergency session on Sunday evening to select a new president, but was still debating the question late into the night. Meanwhile, ex-President Martín Vizcarra – whose ousting sparked the upheaval – called on the country’s highest court to step in.