The former Prime Minister Betssy Chávez, who is currently facing prosecution alongside former president Pedro Castillo due to the failed coup attempt of December 7, 2022, has been hospitalized for an emergency at the María Auxiliadora hospital. This occurred after she initiated a hunger strike that has now lasted ten days.
According to a medical report presented in the Special Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court, Chávez was admitted to the hospital on Tuesday following a serum potassium alteration. Despite receiving medical treatment, she was not discharged to return to the Chorrillos prison.
The former head of the Cabinet reported that she had only been consuming water and sent a written request to the court asking for “an exemption for today’s session” due to her health condition. The medical report indicated that blood tests, a complete hemogram, hepatic profile, coagulation tests, and arterial gas exams were performed during her hospital stay.
Furthermore, the physician warned her about the serious risks associated with continuing the hunger strike, including “cardiac arrhythmia, progressive electronic imbalance, and malnutrition.” Chávez’s attorney, Raúl Noblecilla, expressed deep concern for her well-being and the potential conditions in which she might be placed within the prison system.
“We want to continue alerting the court regarding the risks to Betssy Chávez’s health and to question suspicious activities…” Noblecilla stated. He added that the National Penitentiary Institute (INPE) had previously reported that Chávez was in perfect health, which he insists is now proven to be misleading, thus attempting to deceive the court.
“It is crucial for the court to provide exemption records, as Betssy Chávez is at risk of being placed in the ‘hole’, a punishment cell for inmates who have committed serious offenses. She is in peril for having disclosed a criminal organization operating within the prison and for participating in a hunger strike. This threatens her right to be protected from harassment and torture,” he emphasized.
Following the arguments presented, the court accepted the request for exemption. Chávez has been under preventive detention since June 2023 and requested to be transferred to the Barbadillo prison in April, where Castillo is also being held.
Both Chávez and Castillo face serious allegations related to the coup attempt that resulted in the removal of the former president, alongside several former cabinet members. They are looking at potential sentences of 25 and 34 years in prison, respectively.
To date, numerous testimonies have been collected in this ongoing case, with declarations from former ministers, members of Congress, senior military and police officials, Government Palace personnel, and journalists affiliated with the state channel TV Peru, which aired the former government’s messages.
The developments in this case will continue to unfold as the legal proceedings progress.