LIMA (AP).— A Peruvian court yesterday sentenced former Peruvian president Alejandro Toledo to 20 years and six months in prison for collusion, a type of corruption, and money laundering for receiving money from the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht in exchange for awarding the construction of a section of the highway that connected Brazil with Peru.
Judge Inés Rojas, who read the sentence for more than four hours, considered Toledo as the highest charge involved and indicated that the assumptions of guilt for both crimes were met.
He also imposed a three-year disqualification from holding public office, as requested by the prosecution.
Toledo is the second former Peruvian president convicted of corruption, after the recently deceased Alberto Fujimori (1990-2000) received three sentences for that crime in 2009, apart from another as the direct perpetrator of 25 murders.
The prosecutor’s office accused the former president of receiving 35 million dollars from Odebrecht in exchange for awarding the Brazilian construction company – noted for similar cases in several Latin American countries – a public tender to build 650 kilometers of the so-called Interoceanic highway that connects Brazil with the south. from Peru.
That part of the highway initially cost 507 million dollars, but Peru ended up paying 1,255 million dollars.
Judge Rojas indicated that Toledo, as president, “had the duty to act with absolute neutrality, protect and preserve state assets, preventing their abuse or use,” but he did not do so.
“Cockroach pu…”
At one point the magistrate read the statements of the former Odebrecht executive in Peru, Jorge Barata, who told the prosecutors that, after ending his government (2001-2006), Toledo called him up to three times demanding that he be paid with harsh words.
“Cheap, pu…, he pays me hell,” the judge read.
Alejandro Toledo looked down and looked at his hands.
The judge noted that the trial was held in 175 hearings, with more than 100 witnesses, more than 1,000 documentary evidence attached in 348 volumes, which in total add up to more than 173,676 pages, on which the court relied to declare the former president guilty.
Toledo, who denies the accusations, has been in preventive detention since April 2023.
Three other former leaders of Peru were implicated in other cases for irregularities with Odebrecht, which in 2020 changed its name to Novonor.
The former president asked the judges in a hearing on Wednesday of last week, in a time they granted him to defend himself, to let him return home because he was sick.
With a broken voice and his hands together, as if he were praying, he stated that he had cancer, heart problems and was close to turning 80 years old.
“I ask you please, let me heal or die in my house,” he said.
But the magistrates indicated that at the end of the reading of the sentence he had to go directly to his cell.
The judge pointed out that Toledo, 78 years old, will be imprisoned until October 22, 2043, when he will be 97 years old.
The former president, dressed in a black jacket, white shirt and jeans, heard the sentence scratching his head, writing on a piece of paper or lowering his head, looking at his crossed hands.
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**Interview with Dr. Claudia Torres, Political Analyst and Corruption Expert**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Torres. Yesterday, a Peruvian court sentenced former president Alejandro Toledo to 20 years and six months in prison for corruption and money laundering. What are the implications of this verdict for Peru’s political landscape?
**Dr. Torres:** Thank you for having me. This verdict is significant as it underscores the ongoing struggle against corruption in Peru. It sets a precedent that even high-ranking officials are not above the law, which could encourage stronger accountability in future administrations. Given the historical context, it also reinforces public demand for transparency in government dealings.
**Interviewer:** Toledo is the second former president to be convicted of corruption in recent years. How does this compare to the previous cases, particularly that of Alberto Fujimori?
**Dr. Torres:** That’s a crucial point. While Fujimori’s case was more about direct human rights violations and state terrorism, Toledo’s conviction relates to economic corruption and abuse of power. Both cases highlight a systemic issue in Peru’s political system where corruption has been endemic. However, Fujimori’s case resulted in a much harsher public sentiment due to the direct consequences of his actions, whereas Toledo’s crimes, although serious, are unfortunately part of a broader pattern of political corruption in the region.
**Interviewer:** The court stated that Toledo received $35 million from Odebrecht in exchange for construction contracts. How does this scandal tie into the broader issues of corruption involving the Odebrecht company across Latin America?
**Dr. Torres:** The Odebrecht scandal is emblematic of widespread corruption in Latin America, where large corporations have engaged in bribing public officials to secure lucrative contracts. This has not only harmed national budgets but has also eroded public trust in governments. The fact that Odebrecht’s corrupt practices have been revealed in multiple countries suggests a troubling regional pattern that implies systemic failures in governance. Each conviction, including Toledo’s, highlights the need for international cooperation to tackle these transnational corruption networks.
**Interviewer:** What do you think will happen next for Alejandro Toledo?
**Dr. Torres:** Toledo has a right to appeal the verdict, and given the complex legal landscape in Peru, we may see prolonged judicial proceedings. However, given that Judge Rojas appeared thorough in her analysis, capturing the gravity of Toledo’s betrayal of public trust, it’s likely that the initial conviction will stand. Additionally, the three-year disqualification from public office will ensure he cannot return to politics immediately, which may help in restoring some public confidence.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Torres, for your insights into this significant case and its implications for Peru and the region as a whole.
**Dr. Torres:** My pleasure, thank you for having me.
