The Peruvian Prosecutor announces a new investigation against Pedro Castillo

The Peruvian Prosecutor’s Office announced the opening of a new investigation, the sixth, against the country’s president, peter castleand the former Minister of Housing for alleged corruption in the award of public works.

“The Attorney of the Nation decided to initiate preliminary investigation to the President of the RepublicPedro Castillo, and Geiner Alvarado, in his capacity as Minister of Housing, for alleged crime against public tranquility, in the form of criminal organization”, reported the Public Ministry through a message on Twitter.

According to the public ministry, “the object of the investigation is referred to the works awarded in the provinces of Chota-Cajamarca and Cajatambo-Lima.”
Related to this case, Yenifer Paredes, sister-in-law of the president, the business brothers Hugo and Anggi Espino and the mayor of Anguía (Cajamarca), José Nenil Medina, were arrested this week for inquiries.

The Prosecutor’s Office accuses this group of forming a network of corruption and money laundering directed by the Peruvian president.

The open case includes Alvarado for the first time, who at the time of the award of the works under suspicion, in October 2021, was working in the Housing portfolio. Two weeks ago, Castillo changed his sector and appointed Minister of Transportation.

Last week a special team of prosecutors intervened in the municipalities of Anguía and Cajatambo to gather information on public works awarded to the Espino brothers, whom they relate to President Castillo’s sister-in-law.

Paredes surrendered yesterday after authorities raided the Government Palace and Castillo’s house in Cajamarca looking for him.

The Peruvian president Accumulate another 5 investigations of the Prosecutor’s Office, of which four are for alleged criminal organization.

Castillo, who has been in office for a year for which he was elected until 2026, lives under the fiscal fence for alleged corruption and the persistent siege of a Congress dominated by the right that demands his resignation.

The panorama evokes the fate of former presidents Pedro Pablo Kuczynski and Martín Vizcarra, who survived a first impeachment motion but not a second one in 2018 and 2020 respectively, amid clashes with Congress and allegations of corruption.

The Government criticized Congress in the last hours and to the Prosecutor’s Office for the raids on the Government Palace and Castillo’s family home. “We reject the statements and incitement of violence made by President Pedro Castillo and Prime Minister Aníbal Torres, who are constantly making harangues against the institution and the rule of law,” declared the president of Congress, Lady Camones.

Since October 2021, the Prosecutor’s Office has opened five investigations against Castillo, of which only one refers to a case prior to his election.

The causes contemplate an alleged influence peddling in the purchase of fuel by the state-owned Petroperú in 2021 and the alleged obstruction of justice in the dismissal of an Interior Minister.

Also an alleged influence peddling in a file of military promotions; alleged corruption and aggravated collusion in a public works project, and for plagiarism in his university thesis. The president vehemently denies all charges.