Pedro Castillo Peruvian school teacher, trade union activist and politician Date of Birth: 19.10.1969 Country: Peru

1. Early Life and Education
2. Teaching and Union Activism
3. Political Ambitions
4. Presidential Candidate
5. Presidency
6. Foreign Policy
7. Personal Life
8. Removal from Office

Early Life and Education

Pedro Castillo Terrones was born on October 19, 1969, in the poverty-stricken town of Puña, Peru. As the third of nine children born to illiterate peasant farmers, Castillo faced hardships from a young age. He endured arduous mountain trails, rising at 5 AM to attend school, and assisted in household chores by carrying water and firewood. During his teenage years, he supplemented the family income by working alongside his father on coffee plantations, selling ice cream, and distributing newspapers. Despite financial constraints, Castillo prioritised education, eventually obtaining a teaching degree from a teacher training college. He later pursued a Master's in Educational Psychology from the César Vallejo University.

Teaching and Union Activism

From the 1980s onward, Pedro Castillo served as a patrolman, combating the communist Shining Path insurgency in Peru's rural areas. In 1995, he returned to his hometown to teach primary school and eventually became the director of his former school. His dedication and influence within local communities led to his election as the leader of the unified teachers' union of Peru.

Political Ambitions

Castillo's political aspirations became evident in 2002 when he unsuccessfully ran for mayor of Anguia, representing the Possible Peru party. He subsequently became its regional leader in Cajamarca and remained so until the party's dissolution in 2017. That same year, he played a prominent role in leading a teachers' strike, advocating for salary increases, education funding, and legislative reforms.

Presidential Candidate

In 2020, Pedro Castillo announced his candidacy for the presidency, motivated by concerns about schoolchildren attending classes without adequate access to technology. He campaigned on a promise to make education more accessible and combat corruption. His charismatic presence and provincial appeal resonated with voters, garnering unprecedented support from rural areas.

Presidency

After winning the 2021 presidential election by a narrow margin, Pedro Castillo assumed office as the 48th president of Peru. His presidency was marked by left-leaning economic and foreign policies, while advocating conservative social values. He prioritised mixed economic growth, state regulation, and control over monopolies and oligopolies. Despite these ambitions, Castillo faced criticism for lacking experience, influence over his cabinet, and an absence of clear governance strategies.

Foreign Policy

On the international stage, Castillo supported Venezuela while simultaneously criticising its policies. He advocated for Bolivia's right to access the sea, offered asylum to Afghan refugees, and condemned both Russia's actions in Ukraine and Israel's actions in Palestine. He emphasised that only the UN Security Council had the authority to impose international sanctions.

Personal Life

Pedro Castillo married his childhood sweetheart, Lilia Paredes, who also pursued a Master's in Educational Psychology and worked as a teacher. The couple have two children, Arnold and Alondra, and adopted Lilia's younger sister, Jennifer, following their mother's passing. They reside in a farmhouse in the Chugur district, where they raise crops and livestock while adhering to traditional Peruvian clothing.

Removal from Office

In December 2021, Castillo faced impeachment attempts but survived the votes. However, in July 2022, he was accused of bribery and impeached by Congress. In response, Castillo dissolved parliament and declared a state of emergency, actions viewed as a coup d'état. The police arrested Castillo, leading to widespread protests demanding new elections.