In Peru, political upheaval fuels long-simmering frustration

By CHRISTINE ARMARIO, ASSOCIATED PRESS
LIMA, Peru — Oct 3, 2019, 2:30 PM ET

Over the last four decades, Peruvian lawmakers have stepped into Heyne Dávila’s brightly lit jewelry shop on a dusty street near congress to buy gemstone rings, gold necklaces and even a specially designed pin with the words, “Congress of the Republic.”

But on Wednesday as riot police blocked access to the stately legislature a short walk from his shop, the longtime businessman was shedding no tears over President Martín Vizcarra’s decision to dissolve congress and remove legislators from their seats.

. . .

“They had their chance,” he said inside the store, where business has slowed to a trickle amid the chaos of recent days. “It has been many years since they worried about what is best for all Peruvians.”

Peru is in the throes of its deepest constitutional crisis in nearly three decades as Vizcarra and the opposition-controlled congress engage in an acrimonious tug of war over who should lead the South American nation. The president ordered the legislature dissolved Monday and called new congressional elections, characterizing it as a necessary step to root out entrenched corruption. Lawmakers likened the move to a coup and defiantly voted to suspend Vizcarra, swearing in one of Peru’s vice presidents as his replacement.

More:
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/peru-political-upheaval-fuels-long-simmering-frustration-66023740