“I am retiring from this position after serving alongside you, our country (and especially the procrastinating and forgotten people),” Torres’ letter, which he posted on Twitter, said. Under Peruvian law, Castillo must accept or reject his resignation. Torres, whose tenure lasted nearly 6 months, announced his resignation nearly a week after President Castillo completed a year in office. He accepted the role in February, after former prime minister Hector Waller resigned amid allegations of domestic violence against him. Valer, who has been in power for just four days, has denied the charges.
Torres’ resignation comes now as Castillo himself is under pressure to step down from the opposition. Castillo is currently the subject of five investigations, four of them for alleged corruption. During a speech before Congress to mark Peru’s National Day on July 28, Castillo admitted he had made mistakes and said he was willing to cooperate with any investigation “I am appearing in court to clarify the charges against me, respecting due process and not the fairness of the media,” Castillo said. Under Peru’s constitution, a sitting president can only be impeached on four counts: treason; preventing presidential, regional or local elections; dissolving Congress; or obstructing the work of the National Electoral Commission or other electoral bodies. By Daniela Gonzalez-Roman in New York, Claudia Rebaza in London and Jose Armijo in Mexico City. Earlier reporting by CNNE’s Jimena de la Quintana in Lima