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Peru Sentences Martín Vizcarra to 14 Years for Moquegua Bribe Scheme

A first-instance ruling caps years of evidence gathering that prosecutors say proved S/2.3 million in bribes.

Overview

  • A three-judge panel of the Cuarto Juzgado Colegiado found Vizcarra guilty of cohecho tied to the Lomas de Ilo and Moquegua regional hospital contracts, imposing 14 years after prosecutors sought 15.
  • The court ordered a nine-year disqualification from public office and S/2,336,000 in civil reparations, and directed that he begin serving his sentence pending appeal.
  • Prosecutors relied on collaborating-witness testimony and documents, including a 2013 invoice for a flight paid by Obrainsa, with UNOPS correspondence cited to counter Vizcarra’s defense about the Lomas de Ilo tender.
  • Vizcarra denounced the verdict as “vengeance” and said he will appeal, while Lava Jato coordinator Rafael Vela defended the case as evidence-based and indicated the prosecution is satisfied with the 14-year term.
  • In a parallel dispute, Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela ruled out any forced entry into Mexico’s embassy to detain asylum-seeker Betssy Chávez, citing international law, and said Peru will pursue the matter through the OAS after President José Jerí’s hypothetical remark about entering the mission.