After the Congress Plenary will vote against censure Minister of Development and Social Inclusion, Julio Demartiniit was decided to proceed with a previously approved interpellation motion. Given the majority support of Congress for this measure, the head of the portfolio must appear before Parliament to testify about the scandal generated after the delivery of preserved food in poor condition in the social program was discovered. Qali Warma.
What caught our attention is that the list of questions presented in the interpellation motion does not include questions related to the possible responsibility of Dina Boluarte in this case. It is worth remembering that the current president held the position of Minister of Development and Social Inclusion between July 2021 and November 2022a period in which the irregularities in the delivery of canned goods allegedly began.
Likewise, during that same period, Fredy Hinojosacurrent spokesperson for the president, served as executive director of Qali Warma between March 2019 and November 2022. This could also imply direct responsibility in its management, which has not been questioned in any of the questions included in the interpellation document.
Corruption and spoiled food in Qali Warma during Boluarte’s administration as head of MIDIS
In 2021, during the management of Dina Boluarte as holder of Ministry of Development and Social Inclusion (MIDIS)serious irregularities were reported in the Qali Warma National School Feeding Program. According to Noemi Alvaradoa former worker at Frigoinca, a company that provides the program, spoiled horse meat was distributed to schoolchildren, instead of meat suitable for human consumption. Alvarado stated that this practice began that same year, evidencing serious deficiencies in the control of food inputs.
In addition to pointing out the use of food in inadequate conditions, Alvarado’s testimony uncovered a network of corruption within MIDIS. According to their statements, program officials received bribes to allow the marketing of horse meat, presented as ground beef. Nile Burgaleader of Frigoincawould have led these illegal payments, selling the product at a lower cost than beef and obtaining improper profits.
The meat was transported from Huancayo, where it was ground, and then sent to Ventanilla, where a company, managed by a man identified as Josías, received it and distributed it to schools as if it were beef. This complaint not only highlights the delivery of low quality food, but alsoBut also the level of corruption that compromised the food security of thousands of children in the country.
What questions will Minister Julio Demartini answer in his next interview?
After the rejection of the motion of censure against Minister Demartiniit was agreed to question him about the case Qali Warma. The list of questions that you must answer includes aspects related to the current management of the program, but, as mentioned, None of the questions addresses the responsibility of Dina Boluarte or Fredy Hinojosa in the beginning of the scandal within the social program.
- Detail and explain the work carried out in relation to the mechanisms or preventive measures for the distribution of food by 2025. What measures will you take into consideration the experience generated with the supplier company “Frigoinca”?
- Given your experience and the trust placed in you as an official and former minister since 2022, were you aware of the bad practices of the company “Frigoinca”? If so, did you formally report the incidents or warn about the exclusion of said company?
- If you have a friendship or professional relationship with Mr. Milo Burga, owner of the Frigoinca company, detail the context or facts that connect them.
- What disciplinary and/or legal measures did the Ministry of Development and Social Inclusion adopt in relation to the officials responsible in the case of poisoning that occurred at the Gamaliel Churata School, in Cabana, Puno, where more than 20 children were hospitalized after ingesting canned the “Don Simón” brand?
- What are the guarantees offered by the Qali Warma program in cases of poisoning or other illnesses caused by health irregularities on the part of suppliers?
- Is there a registry of companies prohibited from bidding with the Qali Warma program? If so, do these restrictions have an expiration date or what permanent control mechanisms does the ministerial portfolio implement?
- Given the public evidence of the use of horse meat in canned products distributed in various regions of the country and the reports that warned about non-compliant products, what concrete actions did you take from your office?
- Is there a list of responsible officials? If so, what have been the legal actions taken so far by the Ministry?
- Is there collaboration with the Public Ministry to deepen the investigation mechanisms into how these bad officials and businessmen operated?
- What is the reason for the high turnover of executive directors of the Qali Warma program? Considering the need for continuity in management, how does this affect the full development of the objectives and planned activities?
- Do you consider that sanitary irregularities such as the use of canned horse meat are isolated events, or should your management inform this Plenary about similar and recent cases?
- In relation to the previous question, please detail if you are aware that, on November 19 of this year, a new case of poisoning was reported at the Ciro Saldaña educational center, in the province of Bellavista, San Martín, which caused the hospitalization of several children by eating food delivered by the Qali Warma program.
- If you are aware of the aforementioned fact, detail which company was the supplier and what type of product caused the poisoning. Faced with this, what actions did the sector take?
- Given the serious events that occurred during your management, is there any type of reflection or mea culpa for the passivity and lack of oversight mechanisms in the sector?
