Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra on Monday affirmed that Fuerza Popular party leader Keiko Fujimori asked him to maintain confidentiality regarding two meetings they had held.
In this sense, the President —
who took office on March 23— acknowledged his mistake and said he will rectify such attitude to act with complete transparency.
"The two meetings took place within a confidentiality framework. She (Keiko Fujimori) proposed the confidentiality framework, and we agreed to do so," the Head of State told America TV channel.
"However, I admit this was a mistake," he added.
Both meetings were held during the first leg of his administration and were arranged by Prime Minister Cesar Villanueva.
The first audience took place in April and the second one at the end of June.
"The first meeting was a formal event. It was more like a gesture of greeting and to extend good wishes. In the second one, we presented our request for legislative powers, rejected the '
gag rule,' and discussed the passing of healthy diet rules," he expressed.
According to Vizcarra, such petition would reduce the Executive's capacity for action. Thus, the statesman declined the request.
A third meeting was requested —by the then Fuerza Popular spokesperson and current Congress Chairman Daniel Salaverry— but the top official stated he had refused to attend.
"The decision (of not holding a third meeting) was mine," he added.
Minister replacement
President Vizcarra mentioned
Keiko Fujimori had disagreed with the healthy diet rules.
Thus, Fujimori had suggested the Head of State to replace Health Minister Silvia Pessah and even said she did not consider the high-ranking official to be a competent minister.
Vizcarra said he had rejected the petition and affirmed his administration wants to protect citizens' health.
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