Peru: resignation of Prime Minister suspected of influence peddling
Peruvian Prime Minister Alberto Otarola announced his resignation on Tuesday, suspected of influence peddling after the revelation of audio recordings in the press.
Peruvian Prime Minister Alberto Otarola, May 30, 2023. AFP - SERGIO LIMA
By: RFI with AFP
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“
During a conversation with the President of the Republic, I announced my decision to resign
,” Alberto Otarola said at a press conference.
In the recordings broadcast over the weekend in the television program Panorama of the Panamericana Television channel, Alberto Otarola talks lovingly with a 25-year-old woman, Yazire Pinedo, who this year obtained two contracts worth total of some $14,000 to carry out archival and administrative work for the government.
“
Tell me, then, my love, so that we can talk
,” a voice believed to be that of Alberto Otarola is heard saying.
“
You know these things are boring, they're painful, but you also know I love you
,” seemingly referring to the red tape involved in securing these contracts.
“
I didn’t do anything illegal
”
Peru
's prime minister
has denied any violation of Peruvian labor laws or other wrongdoing, and attributed the revelation of the recordings to his political opponents.
“
I will of course submit to all investigations, but the opinion of the experts will be absolutely clear about the crude way in which these recordings were edited and presented to the public
,” he added during the press conference.
Monday, on the
social
network
On Tuesday, Yazire Pinedo claimed that the leaked conversations dated back to 2021, before he was minister, and admitted to having had a brief “
perhaps sentimental relationship
” with him.
The prosecutor's office announced the opening of an investigation into influence peddling.
The opposition parties unanimously demanded the resignation of Alberto Otarola, 57, married and father of five children, in office since December 2022.
Also read: State of emergency declared in northern Peru in the face of a criminal wave
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