Peruvian President announces PM's resignation

"Today I have accepted the resignation of the President of the Council of Ministers Guido Bellido Ugarte, whom I thank for his services rendered to the nation," the president said in a nationwide address. 

Bellido's letter was released on Wednesday afternoon announcing his "irrevocable resignation of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers as you (Castillo) have requested of me", reports Xinhua news agency. 

According to the local El Comercio newspaper, Bellido's resignation came amid "serious questions regarding his tax investigations, contradictions and disorder within the cabinet", as well as "his public confrontations" with Foreign Minister Oscar Maurtua. 

According to Castillo, the decision to accept Bellido's resignation was to ensure "tranquility and cohesion in government".