Peru Congress backs motion to start impeachment against Castillo

FILE PHOTO: Peru's President Pedro Castillo delivers a statement to the media along with Chile's President Gabriel Boric at the La Moneda government palace in Santiago, Chile, November 29, 2022. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado

LIMA (Reuters) -Peru's Congress approved on Thursday a motion initiated by opposition lawmakers to start impeachment proceedings against President Pedro Castillo, the third formal attempt to oust the leftist leader since he took office last year.

With 73 votes in favor, 32 against and six abstentions, Congress approved the process and summoned Castillo to respond to accusations of constitutional breaches on Dec. 7.