According to a report issued by the Sunday newspaper Cuarto Poder, Congressman Guillermo Bermejowho has several ongoing investigations, would maintain a friendship with José Luis Quispe Changanaquiprosecutor assigned to his case for the alleged crime of aggravated influence peddling. According to the journalistic program, Bermejo and Quispe Changanaqui would have maintained a close friendship for many years. They shared political ideals and participated together in protest activities and ideological discussions. This relationship continued even when their careers took different but relevant paths in the public and legal spheres. Images and videos would confirm the link between the two.
Quispe Changanaqui, current deputy prosecutor of the Special Team of Prosecutors against Corruption in Power (Eficcop), was appointed in 2022 to lead investigations in corruption cases, including that of Bermejo, who is accused of receiving bribes in relation to the awarding of public works in the “Reconstruction Operators” case. Quispe’s continued presence in this case, without attempting to inhibit himself despite his known relationship with Bermejo, has raised criticism and questions about his ability to maintain impartiality.
José Luis Quispe Changanaqui was assigned in 2023 to investigate the case of Guillermo Bermejo for Marita Barretowho is the coordinator of Eficcop. The assignment resolution was signed by Patricia Benavides, indicating that her inclusion in this high-profile case was part of an official move within the Public Ministry. This designation was crucial, given the context of the investigations and the relevance of the accusations against Bermejo.
Testimonies from effective collaborators and other documentary evidence presented within the framework of the investigation suggest money transactions and frequent contacts that point to Bermejo’s participation in illicit activities. However, the proximity of the prosecutor to Bermejo could compromise public perception of the transparency and fairness of the process.
Guillermo Bermejo: what is the Reconstruction Operators case?
According to the investigation led by the prosecutor Jorge García Juárezof the Special Team against Corruption of Power, the criminal organization was consolidated shortly after the inauguration of Pedro Castillo as President of the Republic. This network had the collaboration of members of the so-called ‘shadow cabinet’, who infiltrated the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Sanitation (MVCS). Specifically, it was businessman Segundo Sánchez Sánchez, a close friend of the former president, who organized the takeover of the Authority. for Reconstruction with Changes (ARCC).
In the context of Guillermo Bermejo, he is being investigated for allegedly having participated in this corruption scheme, receiving illicit payments (bribes) in exchange for his influence to promote certain works. The accusations suggest that his position was used to benefit third parties in exchange for money, which constitutes aggravated influence peddling within the Peruvian legal framework. This investigation adds to Bermejo’s background, which also includes ties to extremist groups and radical political activities.
One of the effective collaborators, Yul Valdiviatestifies that he went to Guillermo Bermejo’s house to give him an envelope with 40,000 soles. The interaction involves direct communication in which Valdivia calls him and tells him that he is outside his house. Upon handing over the money, he receives specific instructions from Bermejo as to who the money was actually to be given to, indicating Bermejo’s handling of these transactions.
When Valdivia hands over the envelope with the money, Bermejo responds that it is not “pend…” and that the person in charge of receiving the money is another person, Jaime Jara, suggesting that Bermejo was well organized in the management of these bribes and had a system to handle the receipt of these payments.
The effective collaborators propose that Bermejo had detailed knowledge of the operations and was actively involved in the bribe collection scheme, demonstrating a level of complicity and authority in the organization of these illicit acts.
