Patrice Talon vs Pedro Castillo

As a former cotton magnate, Talon implemented reforms to liberalize Benin's cotton sector, including privatizing state-owned companies and improving farmer access to credit. These reforms boosted production and exports, making cotton a key economic driver.

Patrice Talon won the 2016 Beninese presidential election as an independent candidate, defeating incumbent Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou in a runoff. Talon, a wealthy cotton magnate, campaigned on promises to revive the economy and fight corruption.

Talon was re-elected in 2021 with over 86% of the vote, but the election was marred by opposition boycotts and allegations of repression. Critics accused Talon of authoritarian drift, including the arrest of opposition figures and restrictions on media.

Pedro Castillo, a rural teacher and union leader, won the 2021 presidential election as the candidate of the left-wing Peru Libre party. His victory represented a significant shift in Peruvian politics, with a focus on social justice and constitutional reform.

Castillo's presidency was marked by constant political instability, with the opposition-controlled Congress launching multiple impeachment attempts against him. These attempts were based on allegations of corruption and moral incapacity.

Facing a third impeachment vote, Castillo attempted to dissolve Congress and call for new elections, a move widely seen as a self-coup. The attempt failed, and he was immediately impeached and removed from office by Congress.

After his removal, Castillo was arrested and detained on charges of rebellion and conspiracy. His arrest sparked widespread protests by his supporters, leading to a period of political and social unrest in Peru.