Peru opposition says president wants to close Congress, deepening crisis

FILE PHOTO: Peru's President Pedro Castillo attends a news conference with international media in Lima, Peru October 11, 2022. REUTERS/Angela Ponce/File Photo

LIMA (Reuters) -Peruvian opposition lawmakers said on Friday that President Pedro Castillo is trying to dissolve the legislature, as he named a new prime minister after suggesting Congress had fired his previous one despite not holding a vote on the matter.

Castillo named Betssy Chavez as new prime minister, a close ally and lawmaker who has previously served as minister of culture.