First Vice-President Martin A. Vizcarra Cornejo is the man in line to become President of Peru, following Pedro Pablo Kuczynski's resignation last Wednesday.
The former Moquegua Regional Governor will face one of the toughest challenges of his career.
The following is a review of the main highlights of Vizcarra's political life.
Vizcarra was born in Lima on March 22, 1963, but moved to southern Moquegua region, where he started his political career and served as Governor between 2011 and 2014.
He led the region's complaint about an equitable distribution of Southern Peru mining company's canon between Moquegua and Tacna.
Additionally, he managed to place Moquegua's schools as the country's best education centers for three consecutive years, based on the Education Ministry's standards.
He joined Peruvians for Change (PPK) party, led by Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, which designated him as First Vice-Presidential candidate for the 2016 campaign.
He assumed the post of Transport and Communications Minister on July 28, 2016.
During his administration, Vizcarra led the Executive Branch's efforts in response to the emergencies caused by Coastal El Niño phenomenon in Peru's northern regions.
Likewise, he promoted the implementation of Chinchero International Airport Project in Cusco, by which Congress passed two
interpellation motions against him.
He submitted his
resignation letter to the Ministry in May 2017, after the Comptroller General's Office issued a report on an addendum to the agreement of said airport.
Before leaving office, he canceled the agreement signed with Kuntur Wasi Company.
Personal life
He is a married civil engineer graduated from National University of Engineering (UNI) with Business Studies at Lima-based ESAN University.
His father, Cesar Vizcarra Vargas, was Moquegua Mayor and 1978 Constituent Assembly member.
Martin Vizcarra was also dean of the College of Engineers for the 2008-2009 term and Egesur Director between 2007 and 2010.
In the private sector, he was C&M Vizcarra SAC Operations Manager.
(END) FHG/CCR/JAA/MVB
Published: 3/23/2018