Peru: PM expresses confidence in President Vizcarra

13:33 | Lima, Feb. 19.

Prime Minister Cesar Villanueva on Tuesday affirmed President Martin Vizcarra is an honest person who has his complete trust. Thus, he ruled out any kind of estrangement between the two of them.

Likewise, the cabinet chief indicated Vizcarra did not commit any irregularities when he was a provider to Conirsa consortium and other companies, as he has always worked within the law.

"Without any doubt, he (the President) is a person who has had integrity in his personal, professional, and now political life," Prime Minister Villanueva told ATV news.

Furthermore, the cabinet chief said there are no privileged people —that could avoid the law— in the Inca country.

When asked about the interrogation of former Odebrecht representative Marcos de Queiroz Grillo in Brazil, the official preferred not to comment, as it is a sensitive matter and any kind of opinion could be interpreted as pressure or intervention in the Public Ministry's probe.

Collaboration agreement

Last Friday, Peru's Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group signed the long-awaited collaboration agreement with Odebrecht representatives and former employees in Brazil.

This deal is intended to procure evidence and testimonies for the investigation of corruption cases in the Andean nation.

As is known, the Brazilian construction giant admitted to having paid millions in bribes to government officials in Peru, in order to secure public-works contracts.

As a result, Odebrecht benefited from over US$143 million between 2005 and 2014 in Peru, according to the U.S. Justice Department.

In addition, four ex-Presidents have been linked to the Brazilian company such as: Alejandro Toledo (2001-2006), Alan Garcia (2006-2011), Ollanta Humala (2011-2016), and Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (2016-2018).

Former presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori —currently under preventive detention— also allegedly received money from Odebrecht for her 2011 campaign.

Odebrecht will pay S/610 million (around US$182 million) —plus interests that may arise— in civil reparations to the Peruvian State over a period of 15 years as part of this agreement.

(END) RMCH/CCR/DTK/MVB

Published: 2/19/2019

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Peru: PM expresses confidence in President Vizcarra

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