Peru's President Balcázar: "Several days left" to consider pardon for Pedro Castillo
President José Balcázar of Peru has indicated he has "several days" remaining in his term before the July 28th handover of power to President-elect Keiko Fujimori, during which he could consider a pardon for former President Pedro Castillo. Balcázar stated that while no pardon request is currently pending, he is open to receiving one before his term ends. He previously met with proponents of a pardon, including Roberto Sánchez and Castillo's family members, to explain the constitutional requirements for a pardon, emphasizing that a conviction must be final. Balcázar noted that attendees acknowledged no formal request meeting these criteria had been submitted. He also mentioned that a recent pardon request submitted by military chaplain Germán Villena Cóndor was deemed inadmissible by the Ministry of Justice's Pardon Commission. To date, seven pardon requests for Castillo have not progressed, and none have been granted. Castillo is serving an 11-year and five-month sentence for conspiracy to rebellion related to the December 7, 2022, coup attempt. Balcázar clarified that while he would evaluate a humanitarian pardon request if it meets legal requirements and is well-supported, he does not believe Castillo's current condition warrants such a measure. He suggested that a dialogue between Keiko Fujimori and Juntos por el Perú regarding Castillo's situation would be beneficial for national harmony, but this does not imply an imminent decision on a presidential pardon. Legal experts concur that a pardon is not currently possible as Castillo's sentence is not yet final.
The ongoing discussion surrounding a potential presidential pardon for former President Pedro Castillo highlights the complex interplay between executive clemency powers, judicial processes, and political considerations in Peru. President Balcázar's statements suggest a strategic positioning, leveraging the remaining days of his administration to manage expectations and potentially influence the incoming government's agenda. The legal requirement for a "final sentence" (sentencia firme) remains a significant procedural hurdle, underscoring the principle of judicial finality. Future pardon considerations, particularly humanitarian ones, will likely hinge on evolving legal interpretations and the political climate, reflecting broader debates on justice, reconciliation, and the limits of executive discretion in post-conviction scenarios.
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