Peru’s former president, Ollanta Humala, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for money laundering. His wife, Nadine Heredia, received the same sentence but managed to seek asylum by entering the Brazilian embassy in Lima.
The couple was found guilty of accepting $3 million in illegal contributions from Odebrecht, a Brazilian construction company. This money was used to fund Humala’s presidential campaigns in 2006 and 2011. Humala’s lawyer has called the sentence "excessive," indicating that they plan to appeal the ruling.
Humala, who is 62 years old and a retired military officer, was taken into custody immediately after the verdict. He is set to remain in prison until 2039. This case adds to a troubling pattern in Peru, as he is now the third former president to face imprisonment for corruption in the last two decades.
Odebrecht has admitted to paying bribes to various governments across Latin America, and the company is currently undergoing bankruptcy proceedings. The scandal has deeply affected Peruvian politics, with many citizens expressing frustration over the widespread corruption.
In a related incident, former president Alan Garcia took his own life in 2019 as police arrived to arrest him for corruption linked to Odebrecht. Humala’s lawyers argue that the prosecution did not sufficiently prove the funds were illegally obtained, and they are preparing to challenge the verdict.
The national court’s decision has sparked mixed reactions among the public. Some residents feel disillusioned by the ongoing corruption scandals involving their leaders. One Lima resident expressed anger over the asylum granted to Heredia, highlighting the growing frustration among Peruvians regarding political corruption.
As the legal battles continue, many are watching closely to see how this situation unfolds for both Humala and Heredia.