Peru’s Former Presidents Face Contrasting Outcomes in Corruption Trials

By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu

Peru’s Former Presidents Face Contrasting Outcomes in Corruption Trials

Two of Peru’s former presidents have received different rulings in separate corruption-related cases.

On Wednesday, an appeals court ordered the release of Martín Vizcarra, who had been held in pretrial detention since last month. Vizcarra, president from 2018 to 2020, is accused of accepting 2.3 million soles (about $640,000) in bribes linked to public works contracts during his tenure as governor of Moquegua in 2014. He has denied the charges.

The 62-year-old was being held in a facility where other former presidents — Alejandro Toledo, Ollanta Humala, and Pedro Castillo — are also imprisoned.

In a separate ruling, former president Alejandro Toledo, who led the country between 2001 and 2006, was sentenced to 13 years in prison for money laundering connected to payments from Brazilian construction company Odebrecht. Prosecutors allege he received around $35 million in bribes, part of which was invested in real estate.

Toledo is already serving a 20-year, six-month sentence for another corruption case. Under Peruvian law, his latest sentence will not extend his prison time, as only the harshest sentence applies.

The 79-year-old, who attended the hearing virtually, said he was disappointed with the decision and intends to appeal.

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Chioma Ndukwu

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