• Pedro Castillo sentenced to 11.5 years for conspiracy to dissolve Congress.
• His conviction follows a failed attempt to avoid impeachment.
• Castillo's former minister received the same sentence; another president, Martín Vizcarra, was jailed simultaneously for corruption.
• Peru faces ongoing political turmoil with a history of former leaders in prison.
• The sentencing may escalate tensions among Castillo's supporters, who view him as a political martyr.

The Supreme Court of Peru sentenced former President Pedro Castillo to 11 years, five months, and 15 days in prison for conspiracy to commit rebellion, stemming from his controversial attempt to dissolve Congress in December 2022. This occurred as lawmakers prepared to impeach him amid various corruption allegations. The court also barred him from holding public office for two years, following the trial which saw Castillo maintain his innocence in the charges lodged against him, according to Reuters, Le Monde, Al Jazeera, and Los Angeles Times.

Castillo's fall from power has been dramatic; he was arrested on the same day he attempted to dissolve Congress and seek asylum at the Mexican embassy. This move was met with harsh opposition from lawmakers and ultimately led to his impeachment. His actions ignited widespread protests that turned violent, resulting in at least 50 deaths among demonstrators opposed to his government, as reported by South China Morning Post and BBC.

This conviction arrived shortly after Martín Vizcarra, another former president, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for bribery, highlighting a trend in Peru where former leaders face significant legal consequences for corruption. Castillo is among several former presidents, including Ollanta Humala and Alejandro Toledo, who have either been sentenced to prison or are facing legal issues, according to Latin America Reports.

As Castillo awaits the execution of his sentence at Barbadillo Prison, tensions remain high among his supporters, many of whom gather outside the prison expressing their belief in his innocence. They argue that Castillo, often referred to as the country’s first poor president, is a victim of a political system that is resistant to change, according to Los Angeles Times, South China Morning Post, and BBC.