Peru’s president dissolves congress hours before impeachment vote

Announcement by Pedro Castillo prompted mass resignations and accusations of a coup d'etat

Peru's president Pedro Castillo has announced the immediate dissolution of congress and the installation of a government of exception" to rule by decree until new legislative elections - just hours before he was due to face an impeachment vote in a dramatic escalation of his fight with the opposition-led chamber.

The announcement on Tuesday was the latest dramatic twist in Castillo's tumultuous 17 months in power which has already seen five cabinets, six criminal investigations and two failed attempts to impeach him.