Ruptly
"Peruvian presidential candidate Roberto Sanchez closed his campaign on Wednesday, with support from family members of imprisoned ex-president Pedro Castillo at a rally in Lima ahead of Sunday's first round of elections. Footage shows Sanchez and Jose Castillo entering the rally on horses at Plaza Dos de Mayo, before taking the stage in front of a charged supporter base waving party flags and holding campaign placards. Sanchez praised former President Pedro Castillo, who rose from a humble background to become President of the Republic, noting that he will continue his struggle against the 'hard-right elites' who imprisoned him. "This time, the people rise with one fist [...] In fact, there was the fiercest classism, the deepest cultural contempt that Lima's elites have shown. But the people, the people, are the voice of God," he said. "On April 12, [...] the first round, we will be capable not only of returning the government to the people, but also of taking control away from the aggressive right and the corrupt pact with the traitorous left and the traitorous right. And this time we will free our president, Pedro Castillo," he added. Castillo, who came to power in 2021, is currently serving a prison sentence for rebellion and conspiracy. He was arrested after attempting to dissolve Congress hours before an impeachment vote while reportedly attempting to seek refuge at the Mexican Embassy. "I am sure that our next president will be our comrade Roberto Sanchez, and on his first day in office, he will free the people's president, Jose Castillo Terrones. Freedom for Castillo," Yenifer Paredes, Castillo's daughter, said. Meanwhile, the former president's brother, Jose Castillo, also criticised the current authorities for keeping his brother under tough conditions. "Your people are here, your blood is here, your brothers are here, your sisters are here, your youth and your students are here, dear brother Pedro Castillo," he said. Sanchez is representing the left-wing coalition Juntos por el Peru (Together for Peru). He served as the former Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism under Castillo. His campaign primarily focuses on revising the 1993 Constitution and cracking down on corruption by making corruption crimes punishable. The 2026 election will be held for the first time under Peru's new bicameral system since it was abolished in 1993, with voters electing 130 deputies and 60 senators alongside the president and vice presidents."
Go to News Site