CLACSO condemns the institutional coup in Peru

The Latin American Council of Social Sciences (CLACSO), in light of the events following the vacancy of the Presidency of the Republic of Peru by its Congress and the swearing-in of a new president, at a time of a profound health and economic crisis in the country, declares:

First, a violation of the Peruvian democratic system has been orchestrated through a coup decision that has placed in power an alliance of private and illegitimate interests seeking to benefit from the situation the country is experiencing.

Second, the coup deepens the crisis that Peru is already experiencing and endangers powers and institutions with the attempt to change the members of the Constitutional Court, and to stop the university reform, the justice reform and the fight against corruption.

Third, the presidential vacancy does not solve the problems facing the population, but rather exacerbates them. In this sense, the coup jeopardizes the fight against the coronavirus, deepens poverty and hinders economic recovery, and puts at risk the political and electoral reform and the general elections already scheduled for April 2021.  

The population and various social organizations are currently exercising their right to protest through mobilizations throughout the country and denouncing police repression.

We call for respect for all citizens' rights, for the reforms to be upheld, and for free and democratic elections and the transfer of power scheduled for July 28, 2021 to be guaranteed.

11 of November 2020
Steering Committee of the Latin American Council of Social Sciences