The president is evaluating it. I can't give you more details.
En los pasillos del palacio presidencial de Lima, Pedro Castillo se encontró una vez más ante la tensión que define su mandato: la lealtad a quienes lo llevaron al poder frente a la necesidad de gobernar con autonomía. La propuesta de Waldemar Cerrón como premier, impulsada por los congresistas de Perú Libre, no era solo una cuestión de nombres, sino una pregunta más profunda sobre quién conduce realmente el destino del país. En las horas que siguieron a esa reunión del 1 de febrero, el presidente cargaba con el peso de una decisión que revelaría, una vez más, cuánto margen real tiene para trazar su propio camino.
- La renuncia de Mirtha Vásquez dejó un vacío en la cabeza del gabinete que Perú Libre aprovechó para empujar a uno de los suyos hacia el centro del poder.
- Cuatro congresistas del partido llegaron al palacio con una propuesta clara y condicionada: Waldemar Cerrón como premier, o la salida de dos ministros considerados ineficaces y ajenos a la línea partidaria.
- Los asesores presidenciales encendieron las alarmas: nombrar a Waldemar significaba abrir la puerta a la sombra de su hermano Vladimir, figura dominante de Perú Libre, lo que podría convertir al premier en un canal de influencia no oficial.
- Hernando Cevallos, ministro de Salud, emergió como alternativa viable, mientras el presidente prometía una respuesta en horas sin revelar su inclinación real.
- La confirmación de Kelly Portalatino —'el presidente lo está evaluando'— dejó la decisión suspendida en el aire, con el futuro del gabinete y el equilibrio de poder aún sin definirse.
La noche del 1 de febrero, cuatro congresistas de Perú Libre llegaron al palacio de gobierno en Lima convocados por el presidente Pedro Castillo. El motivo era concreto: recomendar quién debía ocupar la presidencia del Consejo de Ministros tras la salida de Mirtha Vásquez. La delegación incluía a Waldemar Cerrón, vocero parlamentario del partido; Kelly Portalatino; Guido Bellido; y Bernardo Quito Sarmiento.
El planteamiento del partido fue directo: Waldemar Cerrón debía ser el nuevo premier. Bellido argumentó su experiencia previa en el cargo, y el propio Cerrón se mostró dispuesto, presentando su posible aceptación como un acto de servicio. Castillo escuchó, pero no se comprometió. Dijo que evaluaría la propuesta y respondería en pocas horas.
Los congresistas también llegaron con un plan alternativo: si Cerrón no era elegido, pedían la salida de los ministros Rubén Ramírez, de Ambiente, y Víctor Mayta, de Agricultura, a quien describieron como inexperto y vinculado a Patria Roja. Castillo pareció más receptivo a esta segunda demanda.
Sin embargo, sus asesores le advertían sobre los riesgos de la primera. El problema no era Waldemar, sino su hermano Vladimir, exgobernador regional y figura central de Perú Libre. Nombrarlo premier podría dar la impresión de que Vladimir gobernaba desde las sombras, generando un escrutinio político difícil de manejar.
Entre los nombres alternativos, Hernando Cevallos, ministro de Salud, se perfilaba como el candidato más sólido. Cuando Correo consultó a Portalatino, ella confirmó la propuesta sin revelar detalles: 'El presidente lo está evaluando'. Sus palabras dejaban claro que la decisión aún no estaba tomada, y que las siguientes horas definirían si Castillo cedería a la presión del partido o elegiría su propio rumbo.
On the evening of February 1st, just after seven o'clock, four congressmen from Peru's Perú Libre party arrived at the presidential palace in Lima. Pedro Castillo, the nation's president, had summoned them. He wanted to hear their recommendations for reshaping his cabinet—specifically, who should fill the role of prime minister now that Mirtha Vásquez had stepped down. The delegation included Waldemar Cerrón, the party's congressional spokesperson; Kelly Portalatino; Guido Bellido; and Bernardo Quito Sarmiento, who had presided over the congressional installation ceremony the previous July.
The message from Perú Libre was direct: Waldemar Cerrón should become the next premier. Bellido made the case, pointing to Cerrón's prior experience in the position. Cerrón himself signaled willingness, framing acceptance as service to the people. But Castillo did not commit. He told them he would evaluate the proposal and respond within hours.
The congressmen came prepared with alternatives. If Cerrón did not get the job, they wanted two ministers removed: Rubén Ramírez from the Environment Ministry and Víctor Mayta from Agriculture. They characterized Mayta as inexperienced and ineffective, and linked him to Patria Roja, a rival political faction. Castillo appeared receptive to this second proposal, according to sources present at the meeting.
Behind the scenes, however, presidential advisors were counseling caution. The concern was not Waldemar's qualifications but his family ties. His brother, Vladimir Cerrón, is a dominant figure within Perú Libre—a former regional governor and the party's ideological anchor. Appointing Waldemar to the premiership could create the appearance that Vladimir was wielding power from the shadows, a dynamic that would invite public and political scrutiny. The advisors believed this risk outweighed any benefit.
Other names circulated as possibilities. Hernando Cevallos, the health minister, emerged as a leading alternative; he was one of the few cabinet members Castillo seemed inclined to keep. Juan Silva at Transportation and Geiner Alvarado at Housing were also expected to remain in their posts. The sense was that a broader cabinet shuffle was coming, but the premiership remained the open question.
When Correo reached Kelly Portalatino, one of the congressmen who had attended the palace meeting, she confirmed the proposal. "We suggested Waldemar Cerrón as premier and the president is evaluating it," she said. "The important thing is that he's going to evaluate it. I can't give you more details about what we discussed at the palace." Her words suggested the decision was genuinely still in motion—that Castillo had not yet made up his mind, and that the next few hours would determine whether the party's preferred candidate would get the job or whether the president would chart a different course.
Notable Quotes
We suggested Waldemar Cerrón as premier and the president is evaluating it. The important thing is that he's going to evaluate it.— Kelly Portalatino, congresswoman
The Hearth Conversation Another angle on the story
Why would Castillo's advisors worry about Waldemar Cerrón becoming premier if he had experience in the role?
Because his brother Vladimir is the real power in Perú Libre. If Waldemar takes the top cabinet job, it looks like Vladimir is running the government from behind the scenes. That's a political liability.
But Waldemar is a congressman in his own right. Doesn't he have his own standing?
He does, but family dynamics in Peruvian politics are complicated. Vladimir has the ideology, the network, the history. Waldemar is seen as an extension of that. Putting him in the premiership would invite constant questions about who's actually making decisions.
So Castillo was genuinely torn?
It seems so. Perú Libre was pushing hard—they control votes in congress, and they wanted their man in a key position. But Castillo's own team was warning him this would damage his credibility. He needed time to think.
What about the other ministers they wanted removed?
That was the real ask. Removing Mayta and Ramírez was more achievable politically and didn't carry the same baggage. Castillo seemed open to that.
So the party might have settled for less?
Possibly. But they led with Waldemar. That tells you what they really wanted.