LIMA, Peru (AP) â Pedro Castillo, a leftist political novice who has promised to be a champion of his countryâs poor, on Wednesday became Peruâs new president.
The rural teacher who has never held political office before was sworn in less than two weeks after he was declared the winner of the June 6 runoff election. He is Peruâs first president of peasant origin.
In a ceremony in the capital of Lima, Castillo made a commitment âfor God, for my family, for my peasant sisters and brothers, teachers, patrolmen, children, youth and women, and for a new Constitution.â He then he sang the national anthem, taking off his signature hat and placing it over his heart.