Sixteen foreign citizens on Tuesday pledged loyalty to the Inca nation and its Constitution as they received Peruvian citizenship during a naturalization ceremony.
The group was composed of Argentinian soccer player for Lima-based Sporting Cristal Horacio Calcaterra, as well as citizens from Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, France, Italy (3), Mexico, Morocco, Pakistan, Spain (2), Ukraine and the United States.
13 of them acquired citizenship via a Peruvian spouse, whereas 3 opted for naturalization.
Requirements for naturalization include: a minimum of 2 consecutive years of legal residency in Peru; regularly practicing a profession, art, trade or entrepreneurial activity; not having criminal records; as well as having good moral character.
Migrations Superintendent Eduardo Sevilla granted the Peruvian citizenship certificates to the newly-naturalized persons.
"As of today, you are part of Peru: you are protected by Peruvian laws and can exercise the same rights and duties as fellow nationals," he told the former foreigners.
"This is a country where human rights are respected, citizens have legal security and everyone, without any distinction, has the chance of self-realization," he added.
Athlete Calcaterra expressed his appreciation on behalf of the group. "This is a wonderful land. Thank you very much," he said, visibly excited.
The 16 new Peruvians are now allowed to apply for National Identity Documents (DNIs). They will also be able to fully exercise their legal rights and duties as Peruvian citizens.
Over the last seven months, at least 315 people have filed for citizenship in the Inca nation. From this group, as many as 85% do so due to marriage with a Peruvian partner, whereas children born to Peruvian parents abroad account for 10%.
