Pedro Castillo has sworn in as new President of Peru on July 28.  A leftist former teachers’ union leader who already faces mounting challenges to build his government, tackle the coronavirus crisis and unite a deeply polarised country.

"It is the first time that our country will be governed by a peasant, a person who, like many Peruvians, belongs to the sectors oppressed for so many centuries," Castillo said in his first speech as President on Wednesday after he was sworn in.

Castillo was sworn in at midday local time on Wednesday in the capital, Lima, after weeks of uncertainty following a hard-fought June presidential runoff that saw him edge right-wing rival, Keiko Fujimori, by about 44,000 votes. Priorities for his government include fighting the pandemic, economic recovery, education, and creating a ministry for science and innovation. "I want you to know that you have my word, we will not disappoint you, I will not disappoint you," Castillo added.

According to the final election results of the June 6 runoff , Castillo obtained 8,836,380 votes, or 50.12 per cent, while rival Keiko Fujimori garnered 8,792,117 votes, or 49.87 per cent, a margin of just 44,263 votes.

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