The demise of José Miguel Castro, a major witness in the trial against ex-Lima mayor Susana Villarán, highlights the murky waters of corruption investigations in Peru, just weeks before the trial set to commence on September 23.
Key Witness in Lima Corruption Case Found Dead Ahead of Trial
Key Witness in Lima Corruption Case Found Dead Ahead of Trial
The shocking death of José Miguel Castro, a key figure in the indictment of former Lima mayor Susana Villarán, raises concerns about the integrity of the ongoing corruption investigation.
A significant twist has emerged in a high-profile corruption case involving the former mayor of Lima, Susana Villarán, as key witness José Miguel Castro has been found dead in his home, as confirmed by Peruvian prosecutors. The timing of his death, occurring less than three months before the scheduled trial, has raised eyebrows and amplified concerns about the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
Castro, an official in the municipal government during Villarán's tenure from 2011 to 2014, was living under house arrest and was slated to testify against Villarán, who faces numerous charges including collusion, money laundering, and forming a criminal organization that allegedly received substantial bribes from Brazilian construction firms. The total amount in question reaches $10 million, and Castro was deemed a pivotal witness in the planned proceedings.
His cooperation with the prosecution was deemed crucial, with prosecutor José Domingo Pérez expressing disappointment over the loss of Castro's anticipated testimony. “He was the second most important person behind Ms. Villarán,” Pérez stated during an interview with Peruvian news channel Canal N. The cause of Castro's death remains undetermined, leaving many questions unanswered just weeks before the trial is set to begin on September 23.
Villarán, now aged 75, admitted in 2019 to accepting funds from notorious construction giants Odebrecht, now known as Novonor, and OAS during her mayoral campaign but has firmly denied that these transactions constituted bribes. Despite her defense, Villarán's case is emblematic of a broader crisis enveloping Peruvian politics, deeply intertwined with the infamous Odebrecht scandal. Since 2016, when Odebrecht confessed to bribing officials across Latin America to secure contracts, a plethora of former Peruvian presidents have faced investigations, with notable convictions already handed out.
The death of José Miguel Castro adds yet another layer of complexity to an already intricate corruption saga in Peru, prompting calls for transparency and accountability as the nation grapples with its political past.
