Peru: Investigation against President Pedro Castillo for illegal influence in exchange for consideration

The Peruvian prosecutor’s office announced on Tuesday that it intends to investigate the country’s president, Pedro Castillo, after the end of his term, as he accuses him of exercising unfair influence in exchange for and collusion.

“Prosecutor Soraida Avalos Rivera has launched a preliminary investigation against the President of the Republic, Jose Pedro Castillo Terones, for the” offenses “of exercising unfair influence in exchange for aggravating circumstances and collusion in favor of” explained in a press release issued by the prosecution.

However, this process will be suspended until the end of the five-year term of the president, ie in 2026, due to the “absolute immunity” given to him by his office in Peru.

He is suspected of three specific cases, the prosecutor clarified.

In the first case, Mr Castillo allegedly “indirectly and inappropriately interfered” in the bidding process for a road bridge over the Voyaga River in San Martin (northern).

In the second, the prosecutor alleges that he intervened in the process of purchasing biodiesel for the domestic market in the period January-April 2022, “in order for the company Heaven Petroleum Operator, whose managing director is businessman Samir Avoudaye, to secure a contract worth 74 million dollars.” .

In the third case, in which he is suspected of “exercising undue influence in exchange for illegal patronage”, the head of state allegedly pressured him to promote officers of the armed forces close to his left-wing government.

Mr Castillo, who has been in power since July 28, narrowly defeated the populist right-wing candidate, Keiko Fuchimori, in the presidential election. His term will normally end in 2026.

SOURCE: AMPE