4,551 bytes added
, 13:46, 23 December 2020
<br>By Marco Aquino<br> <br>LIMA, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Peru, the world's No.2 copper producer and for years one of Latin America's fastest growing economies, has seen a litany of presidents ousted from office or imprisoned on allegations of corruption over the past three decades.<br> <br>Last week, centrist Martín Vizcarra was controversially removed from office by Congress on corruption charges, and on Sunday, his successor Manuel Merino resigned after deadly protests, [https://www.kynghidongduong.vn/tours/tour-du-lich-trung-khanh-cuu-trai-cau-thanh-do-ha-noi-sai-gon.html tour cửu trại câu] plunging the country into turmoil just five months before elections in April.<br> <br>Many observers fear the Andean country now faces a period of heightened political uncertainty with the threat of impeachment likely to hang over any future leaders' heads.<br> <br>Here is the rundown:<br> <br>MANUEL MERINO (Nov.<br><br>10-15, 2020)<br> <br>The former head of Congress, who led impeachment proceedings against Vizcarra, resigned after two deaths during protests against his less-than-week-old government sparked an exodus from his cabinet and widespread calls for [https://www.kynghidongduong.vn/tours/tour-du-lich-trung-khanh-cuu-trai-cau-thanh-do-ha-noi-sai-gon.html kynghidongduong.vn] his removal.<br> <br>Lawmakers had said that they would launch impeachment proceedings against him if he did not resign.<br> <br>MARTÍN VIZCARRA (2018-2020)<br> <br>Lawmakers ousted Vizcarra after media reports alleged he had [http://statigr.am/tag/received received] 2.3 million soles ($640,000) in bribes from two companies that won a public works tender while he was a regional governor years earlier.<br> <br>Vizcarra, who had long clashed with lawmakers, strongly denied the allegations, but was voted out of office after a second impeachment trial in as many months found him "morally incapable" of governing.<br> <br>PEDRO PABLO KUCZYNSKI (2016-2018)<br> <br>Kuczynski remains under house arrest while prosecutors investigate him for favoring contracts with Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht while he was a minister under former President Alejandro Toledo.<br> <br>Kuczynski initially denied any ties to Odebrecht.<br><br>But he eventually acknowledged his consulting firm advised the builder on project financing. Kuczynski resigned from the presidency in 2018 amid pressure from Congress.<br> <br>OLLANTA HUMALA (2011-2016)<br> <br>Humala, retired from Peru's military, is under investigation for allegedly receiving $3 million from Odebrecht during the 2011 presidential election campaign.<br> <br>Prosecutors have requested 20 years in prison, but he has yet to see his day in court.<br>Humala denies the allegations and has said he plans to run in the 2021 presidential election.<br> <br>ALAN GARCÍA (1985-1990 / 2006-2011)<br> <br>Former president Alan García committed suicide in April 2019 with a gunshot to the head when Peruvian police arrived to arrest him over allegations he participated in another Odebrecht bribery scheme.<br> <br>A charismatic political leader who served two terms, García repeatedly denied the allegations of bribery.<br> <br>ALEJANDRO TOLEDO (2001-2006)<br> <br>Toledo is accused of allegedly receiving a $20 million bribe from Odebrecht during his tenure.<br><br>He is free on bail in the United States, but faces extradition proceedings to Peru.<br> <br>The former president, who has denied the allegations, spent nearly eight months in a California prison.<br> <br>VALENTÍN PANIAGUA (2000-2001)<br> <br>Valentin Paniagua is the only Peruvian president in the last three decades who has not faced accusations of corruption. Paniagua led a transitional government after the resignation of former president, [https://www.kynghidongduong.vn/tours/tour-du-lich-trung-khanh-cuu-trai-cau-thanh-do-ha-noi-sai-gon.html tour cửu trại câu] Alberto Fujimori.<br> <br>Paniagua, who passed away in 2006, was a seasoned politician and served in Congress for several terms.<br> <br>ALBERTO FUJIMORI (1990-2000)<br> <br>Fujimori is serving a 25-year sentence in prison for commanding death squads that massacred civilians in a counterinsurgency campaign during his right-wing government.<br><br>He was later also found guilty of corruption in a major scandal.<br> <br>Former President Kuczynski granted Fujimori a humanitarian pardon but this was rescinded by a judge during Vizcarra's term in office.<br> <br>(Reporting by Marco Aquino, writing by Dave Sherwood; Editing by Adam Jourdan and Bernadette Baum)<br>