Simeon Tegel

Pedro Castillo smiled as the judge read out his sentence.

Eleven years and five months for his attempt to save his scandal-wracked leftist administration by unconstitutionally shuttering the Congress and courts.

His conviction comes a day after another former president, centrist Martin Vizcarra, was handed a 14-year term after being found guilty of taking kickbacks.

Meanwhile, Peru's democratic meltdown continues.

Lawmakers, dozens of whom are under investigation for corruption and have been accused of favouring organised crime, are on the cusp of ousting the country's chief prosecutor.

For NPR News, I'm Simeon Tegel in Lima.