Odebrecht aftershocks still shaking region
It is axiomatic to say that the Odebrecht corruption scandal has had profound ramifications for established political and judicial systems across Latin America. But nowhere has the impact of the bribery scheme run by the Brazilian construction company been felt more keenly than in Peru. It brought down the presidency of Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (2016-2018), and each of his predecessors going back to 2001 is being investigated in connection to the firm’s nefarious practices. Alan García (1985-1990; 2006-2011) sought refuge in the Uruguayan embassy in Lima this week as he files for asylum, citing political persecution in relation to the case. Odebrecht’s impact has been less pronounced in Colombia, but fresh developments this week have left the country’s attorney general, Néstor Humberto Martínez, fighting for his job and heaped pressure on President Iván Duque.