In a span of two days, Peru witnessed the jailing of two former presidents. Pedro Castillo, the former left-wing leader, received an 11-year sentence for attempting to dissolve Congress and rule by decree in 2022. The Supreme Court found him guilty of “conspiracy to commit rebellion.” This follows the 14-year prison sentence given to Martín Vizcarra a day prior. Vizcarra was convicted of taking bribes while governor of the Moquegua region between 2011 and 2014, a conviction which he denies.
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During a recent diplomatic tour of Asia, President Trump hinted at a potential 2028 presidential bid, claiming he has his “best numbers ever” and refusing to rule out another run. Despite the 22nd Amendment’s clear restriction, Trump has stated he hasn’t given much thought to the matter; however, his allies, including Steve Bannon and other GOP figures, are actively exploring ways to circumvent the amendment. Various proposals range from outright repeal to a specific constitutional amendment permitting Trump’s candidacy, reflecting a strong belief in his destiny to lead.
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AP News reports that Peru’s Congress voted early Friday to remove President Dina Boluarte from office due to the government’s failure to address rising crime rates, immediately replacing her with legislative leader José Jerí. This decision followed a late-night debate and impeachment trial initiated after lawmakers accepted multiple requests for Boluarte’s removal, fueled by recent events including a shooting at a concert in the capital. Boluarte, who had taken office in December 2022 after her predecessor’s impeachment, was Peru’s first female president and the sixth leader in under a decade. Jerí, set to serve as interim president until elections in April, aims to defend Peru’s sovereignty and hand over power to the election winner.
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Political instability has gripped France since the snap parliamentary elections in July 2024, resulting in a hung parliament and a series of prime ministers failing to secure support. Marine Le Pen has called for early elections. The current prime minister, Lecornu, also resigned after less than a month, further highlighting the deadlock caused by ideologically opposed factions refusing to compromise. The nation’s economic situation has deteriorated with the third-highest public debt in the eurozone, and financial markets responded negatively to Lecornu’s resignation.
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French PM Sebastien Lecornu has resigned. Let’s just get this straight: we’re talking about a Prime Minister whose tenure lasted a mere 17 hours. That’s right, a little over half a day. This isn’t just a short term; it’s practically a blink of an eye in political time, setting a new record – and not a particularly flattering one – for the shortest-lived government in French history. The previous record holder, from the Fourth Republic, managed to hang on for a whole three days. Lecornu barely made it through a single day before the whole thing imploded.
For some context, even Liz Truss, whose time as UK Prime Minister was widely ridiculed, enjoyed a significantly longer stint in office.… Continue reading
Following days of deadly Gen Z-led protests over unreliable utilities, Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina dismissed Prime Minister Christian Ntsay and the entire government. While the President did not indicate he would step down, he announced a call for applications for government positions with a three-day timeframe to review proposals for a new Prime Minister. The UN reported 22 deaths due to the protests and the subsequent violent response from security forces, although Madagascar authorities dispute the toll. Protests, which began peacefully but were met with force, have involved thousands of people in the streets, resulting in roadblocks, fires, and attacks on political figures.
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Following youth-led protests sparked by water and power shortages that have resulted in at least 22 deaths and over 100 injuries, Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina dissolved the government. The demonstrations, inspired by similar movements in Kenya and Nepal, represent the largest challenge Rajoelina has faced since his 2023 re-election. Rajoelina has apologized for the government’s shortcomings and announced a call for applications for a new premier, while also promising measures to address business disruptions and create space for dialogue with the youth. The UN has cited a “violent response” by security forces as contributing to the fatalities, while the government disputes the UN’s casualty figures.
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Protests in Nepal reflect widespread discontent with the political class, leading to the vandalism of government officials’ property and leaders seeking refuge with security forces. Although Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stepped down, no immediate successor or alternative governance structure has been established, creating a power vacuum. With a lack of leadership, there is a risk of escalating violence, potentially necessitating the involvement of the respected Nepalese army. The situation is further complicated by the public’s dissatisfaction with the entire political class, fueled by years of political instability and mismanagement. Therefore, the immediate priority is restoring order within the nation.
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The French government was toppled in a no-confidence vote, forcing President Emmanuel Macron to find his fourth prime minister in a year. Prime Minister François Bayrou lost the vote after his budget plan, which included deep spending cuts, alienated lawmakers across the political spectrum. The collapse of the government creates uncertainty and instability amid significant fiscal challenges and global unrest. Macron’s struggle to build parliamentary support, due to a fragmented legislature, has left his domestic ambitions stymied while he maintains authority over foreign policy.
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Trump’s poorly attended military parade, ostensibly celebrating the Army’s anniversary, served as an authoritarian spectacle designed to bolster his image and potentially incite unrest. Simultaneously, massive “No Kings” protests, numbering in the millions, demonstrated widespread opposition to his actions and rhetoric. Trump responded with escalating threats, targeting Democrat-led cities and deploying inflammatory language, suggesting a deliberate strategy to destabilize the country. Experts warn of a potential escalation of violence and the erosion of democratic norms, drawing parallels to historical authoritarian regimes.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood