The Uruguayan Government has not yet decided to grant diplomatic asylum to former Peruvian President Alan Garcia, Uruguay's Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Ariel Bergamino affirmed on Monday.
In statements to RPP radio and TV station, Bergamino said the information that Uruguay has already conferred asylum is considered a leak since his Government has made no pronouncements on the merits of the case.
"This is a leak. We refer to yesterday's statements issued by the Presidency and the Foreign Affairs Ministry (of Uruguay). Both agree the
ex-President requested asylum at the Uruguayan Embassy in Peru," he told RPP.
"He did it under the
1954 Caracas Convention (…). The procedures established by the aforementioned Convention are being followed," he added.
Likewise, the Uruguayan Government official noted there is a difference between accepting the request and issuing a statement about it.
He emphasized the Caracas Convention does not specify a deadline to make a statement about an asylum request. Plus, he reported that his Government is processing the paperwork and collecting data about the issue.
In this regard, he said information from
Garcia's defense will be assessed, as well as the one conferred by the Peruvian Government.
Bergamino mentioned Uruguay has a long tradition of asylum and described it as a "country of law."
Finally, he affirmed his country has handled the asylum request in a natural manner and without drama.
As is known, Brazilian construction giant and corruption-tainted Odebrecht allegedly paid bribes to secure the Lima Metro Line 1 contract during his presidency (2006-2011).
Alan Garcia served as President of Peru between 1985-1990 and 2006-2011.
(END) CCR/RMB/MVB
Published: 11/19/2018