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Peru among most outstanding nations in 2020 Capacity to Combat Corruption Index

15:34 | New York (U.S.), Jun. 8.

Peru is the most positive story in the Americas Society/Council of the Americas and Control Risks' (AS/COA) 2020 Capacity to Combat Corruption (CCC) Index, with clear improvements in two sub-categories: Legal Capacity, Democracy and Political Institutions.

"The change reflects gains in law enforcement capacity and the court system, as well as the importance of anti-corruption in President Martin Vizcarra's agenda. These advances, combined with some adverse outcomes in other countries, have put Peru almost on par with Brazil and ahead of Argentina and Colombia in this year's ranking," the report highlighted.

According to the Index, Peruvians lagged behind all three in 2019.

"Peru has improved its scores in 6 of the 7 variables in the Legal Capacity subcategories. The newly-created National Justice Board (JNJ) —now a powerful agency, targeting judges and Public Ministry officials accused of corruption or undermining probes— contributed to gains in the judicial system and in law enforcement," it stressed adding that progress in the mammoth Lava Jato investigation also underscored improvements in areas like the usage of plea bargain instruments and in international collaboration.

The probe continues to move forward, rattling Peruvian politics.

Likewise, relative gains in campaign financing practices became evident in the January legislative elections, although this area remains a critical challenge for Peru. Within this framework, the report said that Congress is expected to improve the current legislation over the next months.

"Prompted by (President) Vizcarra's decision to dissolve Congress (on September 30, 2019), the January elections dealt a serious blow to Fuerza Popular (Popular Force) and other traditional parties that were blocking anti-corruption reforms, including efforts to reduce legislative immunity," it recalled.

However, it warned that the weakening and fragmentation of Peru's party system may hinder governability and efforts to reform the political system.

Critical issues to monitor

The Capacity to Combat Corruption Index projects that political reform —including increased controls over parties and campaigns, and further changes to parliamentary immunity— can keep Peru on the right track.

Yet COVID-19 has changed policy priorities for now.

"Peru will likely have its major Lava Jato trials over the next year, including of former President Ollanta Humala (2011-2016) and Fuerza Popular's leader Keiko Fujimori. Also, former President Alejandro Toledo (2001-2006) is expected to be extradited from the U.S. Strong convictions based on sound cases presented by prosecutors would become a landmark in Peru's fight against impunity," it underlined.

The CCC believes the JNJ will continue its efforts to clean up courts and the Public Ministry. In Peru, the Public Ministry is independent from the Executive Branch.

About

The second edition of the CCC Index covers

15 Latin American countries —seven more than in 2019. Uruguay has the highest score (7.78 out of 10), meaning it is deemed the most likely country among the 15 in the study for corruption to be uncovered, punished, and deterred.

After Uruguay came Chile (6.57), Costa Rica (6.43), Brazil (5.52), Peru (5.47), Argentina (5.32), Colombia (5.18), Mexico (4.55), Ecuador (4.19), Panama (4.17), Guatemala (4.04), Paraguay (3.88), the Dominican Republic (3.26), Bolivia (2.71), and Venezuela (1.52).

About

The Americas Society (AS) is the premier forum dedicated to education, debate, and dialogue in the Americas. Its mission is to foster an understanding of the contemporary political, social, and economic issues confronting Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada, and to increase public awareness and appreciation of the diverse cultural heritage of the Americas and the importance of the inter-American relationship.

The Council of the Americas (COA) is the premier international business organization whose members share a common commitment to economic and social development, open markets, the rule of law, and democracy throughout the Western Hemisphere. The Council's membership consists of leading international companies representing a broad spectrum of sectors, including banking and finance, consulting services, consumer products, energy and mining, manufacturing, media, technology, and transportation.

Editor's note: Based on information provided by the AS/COA.

(END) NDP/MVB

Published: 6/8/2020

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Peru among most outstanding nations in 2020 Capacity to Combat Corruption Index

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