BCR: Peru's fight against corruption recognized by The Economist

16:56 | Lima, Dec. 17.

Peru's Central Reserve Bank (BCR) Governor Julio Velarde on Monday affirmed the fight against corruption must continue in the country.

Likewise, the official pointed out The Economist has given recognition to the Inca nation and Brazil for their combat against this scourge.

"Whereas corruption remains largely unpunished in places like Mexico and Argentina, Brazil and Peru have gone furthest in investigating the sprawling Odebrecht scandal," the article read.

"In time, this is perceived as something positive (…)," Velarde indicated.

Earlier on Monday, President Martin Vizcarra expressed his support to the continuation of Prosecutors Rafael Vela and Jose Domingo Perez in the Lava Jato case.

Odebrecht

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.

(END) MMG/JJN/DTK/MVB

Publicado: 17/12/2018