Peru Prime Minister Alberto Otarola Resigns Amid Corruption Allegation
TimeFeb 26
Peru PM Resigns Over Influence-Peddling Claims
Image copyright: Ministerio de Defensa del Perú/Flickr via Wikimedia Commons
The Facts
Peruvian Prime Minister Alberto Otárola resigned on Tuesday, after leaked audio recordings suggested he used his influence to help 25-year-old Yazire Pinedo, with whom he had an extramarital affair, win government contracts.
Otárola, who cut short an official trip to Canada as the scandal broke out over the weekend, denies any wrongdoing and has described the recordings as "edited."
The Spin
Narrative A
While investigations will reveal that this so-called scandal is just a political shenanigans from his political enemies, Otárola has decided to step down to prevent them from using these blatantly edited audio clips to undermine the Boluarte administration. His decision to prioritize stability and clarify this mess should be applauded.
Narrative B
Though it took much longer than it should have, "the Butcher" Otárola is finally gone. The fact that this long needed action was due to these allegations instead of his involvement in the Ayacucho massacre highlights the devastating state of corruption in Peru's mainstream politics. It remains to be seen whether an investigation into these matters will actually bring Otárola to justice.