Peru Jails Ex-President Vizcarra for 14 Years in Corruption Case

A Peruvian court, sentenced former president Martín Vizcarra to 14 years in prison after convicting him of accepting bribes from construction companies while serving as governor of the Moquegua region. 

The case involved illicit payments, estimated at about $676,000, allegedly given in exchange for awarding public-works contracts. Prosecutors described the bribery scheme as part of a pattern linked to major regional projects and said the payments were intended to guarantee contracts for government infrastructure.

The projects at the center of the conviction included the Moquegua Hospital and the Lomas de Ilo irrigation system. Authorities said the bribes were delivered between 2011 and 2014 during his regional administration. 

Prosecutors argued the contracts were manipulated to benefit specific firms in exchange for secret payments, and that evidence included testimony from company executives and financial documentation tied to project bidding processes.

• Former Peru president sentenced to 14 years over bribery scheme
• Court convicts Vizcarra in public-works corruption tied to Moquegua projects
• Ruling fuels political turmoil as defence plans appeal and denies charges

Besides the prison term, the court imposed a nine-year ban on Vizcarra holding public office and ordered him to pay civil penalties. Officials stated he will begin serving the sentence immediately, likely in the same detention facility where other former Peruvian leaders are held. His defense team plans to appeal and argues that the trial was politically motivated.

Vizcarra, who later served as president from 2018 to 2020 before being removed amid earlier graft allegations, denied all accusations. He called the ruling “revenge” and said he will continue challenging the outcome through legal and public channels. He also referenced future elections, signaling that his brother Mario Vizcarra, a 2026 presidential candidate, would continue their political movement.

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The conviction adds to multiple corruption cases involving former Peruvian presidents, reflecting ongoing turmoil and public distrust in the country’s political institutions.