Former President Castillo's detention extended, death toll from demonstrations in Peru increases to 15 people

JAKARTA - Former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo's pre-trial detention in prison was extended to 18 months on Thursday, amid a deepening diplomatic row with leftist nations that opposed his ouster and as deadly protests continued into a second week.

The judicial panel at the Supreme Court ordered an extension of Castillo's pre-trial detention period, as prosecutors continue their investigation into the criminal charges against him.

The decision did not touch on the merits of the charges facing Castillo, who has been charged with rebellion and conspiracy, but a Supreme Court judge who chaired the panel cited the risk of flight by the ousted president.

Castillo himself denies all accusations and says he remains the country's legitimate president.

Meanwhile, protesters gathered outside the prison where he was being held, holding up banners criticizing the new President Dina Boluarte, and calling for Congress to be closed.

Protesters continued to block roads on Thursday, despite the government imposing a state of emergency the day before. It gives special powers to the armed forces and police and limits citizens' freedoms, including the right to assemble.

"We just want the people's voice to be heard. The people demand our president return", said protester Gloria Machuca, reported to Reuters on December 16.

At least 15 people have died in the protests, according to a statement from the authorities.

The public ombudsman, saying the armed forces had used firearms and dropped tear gas bombs on protesters from helicopters, demanded the practice stop immediately.

Late Thursday, the government imposed a curfew in 15 local provinces, mostly in rural Andean areas.

Separately, four countries led by far-left presidents - Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, and Mexico - this week signed a joint statement declaring Castillo a "victim of undemocratic abuse."

A bloc of leftist nations meeting in Havana, including Cuba, Bolivia, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, also supported imprisoned Castillo, rejecting what they described as "a political framework created by right-wing forces."

Foreign Minister Ana Cecilia Gervasi, only taking office after Boluarte took over from Castillo last week, responded early Thursday by recalling Peru's ambassadors in Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, and Mexico for consultations.

Gervasi wrote on Twitter that the consultations "relate to interference in Peru's internal affairs."

Nonetheless, Dina Boluarte's week-old Government, which is said to be a transitional one, has been recognized by Chile's leftist president and by Uruguay, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Canada, and the United States.

It is known, Dina Boluarte was officially sworn in as president on December 7, replacing Pedro Castillo who was constitutionally impeached and removed from office after trying to dissolve Congress.

Peru's constitution allows a president to shut down Congress, but only if lawmakers twice pass a vote of no confidence in the president's cabinet, which did not happen on the day of Castillo's ouster last Wednesday.