Pedro Castillo’s chancellor resigns in Peru

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Peru, Héctor Béjar, tendered his resignation on Tuesday after the outcry caused by some old statements in which accused the Navy of having initiated “terrorism” in the country, according to Peruvian media. In a statement, the Government Palace announced that President Pedro Castillo had accepted his departure.

Béjar’s resignation takes place a day after meeting President Pedro Castillo, amid the harsh criticism he has been receiving since last weekend, a Peruvian television station published some of his statements in which he referred to the role the Navy would have played in the fight against the Shining Path.

“Terrorism in Peru was launched by the navy, and this can be demonstrated historically”, he said, explaining that the military institution had been formed for this purpose by the United States Intelligence Agency (CIA). “I am convinced, although I cannot prove it, that Shining Path was largely the product of the CIA and North American intelligence services, I cannot prove it, but I am convinced of it “.

Requests to resign come from before, after the opposition questioned his suitability for the post due to his guerrilla past. Béjar, university professor, writer and sociologist, was the founder in the 1960s of the short-lived National Liberation Army (ELN) under the dictatorship of General Juan Velasco Alvarado (1968-1975).

The President of the Council of Ministers of Peru, Guido Bellido, announced that there would be changes in the cabinet after the crisis generated in the country by the declarations of Béjar on the beginning of terrorism.

Precisely, Béjar would be the prime minister to leave the cabinet which took office on July 29. The exit took place even before the Executive received Parliament’s vote of confidence, scheduled for the following day 26.

Former members and relatives of Navy officers demonstrated this Tuesday in front of the Foreign Ministry in Lima to demand the resignation of Béjar, while demanding a clear demarcation with terrorism.

The Peruvian Navy issued a statement on Monday dismissing Béjar’s expression as “absolutely devoid of truth., which constitutes an affront against the men and women who fought and continue to fight against the terrorist crime ”, as well as against the relatives of the victims.

However, for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Béjar’s words were “manipulated, edited, cut and taken out of context in order to discredit him and obtain censorship” of the Minister.

Béjar is one of the ministers the opposition demanded Castillo change to give the government a vote of confidence, considering that they represent a radical left, close to Vladimir Cerrón, the leader and founder of the party in power, the Marxist Peru Free.

(With information from EFE and Europa Press)

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