PERU: INTERIOR MINISTER RESIGNS AFTER CORRUPTION IN GOVERNMENT PURCHASING SCANDAL.
The government of Peruvian President Alan Garcia went through its first Cabinet crisis in February when Interior Minister Pilar Mazzetti resigned amid corruption allegations. Accusations that the ministry overpaid for 469 police patrol cars and other official vehicles led to Mazzetti's resignation. The revelations brought congressional inquiries and criticisms from opposition groups and from Garcia's Alianza Popular Revolucionaria Americana (APRA) party.
Accusations of overpayment for ambulances and police cars
Cabinet chief Prime Minister Jorge del Castillo told Peruvian news station Radioprogramas that Garcia accepted Mazzetti's resignation, which she handed in late Feb. 23. APRA lawmakers accused the ministry of failing to obtain a discount for the fleet of police cars.
The president had supported Mazzetti during calls for her resignation in the previous month and has said he does not believe she is responsible for any wrongdoing.
Mazzetti is also under investigation for allegedly purchasing nearly 60 ambulances that were in poor condition when she served as health minister under former President Alejandro Toledo (2001-2006). Mazzetti has faced criticism for failing to curb corruption in the Interior Ministry, and especially within the country's police force.
Mazzetti is the first minister in Garcia's seven-month-old government to resign. Del Castillo announced that legislator and economist Luis Alva Castro would replace Mazzetti on Feb. 26. "We have made an evaluation of several personages and Dr. Alva Castro is the person in whom we have confidence," said del Castillo, citing Alva Castro's political and administrative experience.
Castro was prime minister and economy minister in the previous administration of Garcia (1985-1990) and, until his appointment, was chair of the congressional Budget Committee.
Incoming Minister Alva promised what he described as "an implacable fight against corruption" and transparency after being sworn in. "Citizens' security is fundamental and will be our main concern," Alva said. "And there is no doubt that I will implacably fight corruption."
Alva said that he would form committees to guarantee the legality of all purchases to avoid the situation like the allegedly illegal purchase of the squad cars. Alva, 65, a former APRA deputy, also said that he would support a political reform in the ministry.
On Feb. 26 the Contraloria General de la Republica (CGR) began an inquiry into vehicle purchases under the...
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