Former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo has ended a four-day hunger strike that he began in protest of his trial on rebellion and other charges, judicial authorities.
A judicial clerk informed the Supreme Court’s panel overseeing the case that Castillo ended the hunger strike Thursday afternoon after being released from a hospital where he was taken that same day because of a “health problem.”
Castillo has been detained since December 7, 2022, when he gave a televised speech in which he declared the dissolution of Congress and his intent to rule by decree. Congress removed him from office that same day.
Now, the former president faces a trial on charges of rebellion, grave abuse of authority, and disturbing public tranquility in a case that has polarized the South American nation. The prosecution is seeking 34 years in prison for the former president.
Castillo has described his trial as “politicized” and a “pantomime” and has refused legal counsel provided by the judicial system.
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