Peru

LIMA, Feb 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Peru’s foreign minister resigned Sunday in a growing scandal over the revelation that government officials received Covid-19 vaccinations well before the general public.

The South American nation has been badly hit by the pandemic, with its health system overwhelmed and a targeted vaccination program for health workers rolling out only from Feb 8.

Public resentment over officials receiving vaccinations — despite there being no date for a wider immunization roll out — has seen at least two government officials resign.

LIMA, Peru (AP) — Black-and-white pictures of dozens of men and women, some in their 30s and others much older, line the perimeter of a bright yellow building overlooking the Pacific, a two-story-tall black ribbon covering part of the facade and a Peruvian flag at a half-staff near the door.

The makeshift memorial is for fallen “pandemic soldiers” — doctors who have died since the coronavirus struck this South American nation last year and unraveled the public health care system.

LIMA, Jan 7 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — The Lima Group, a regional bloc comprised mostly of Latin American nations, said that it does not “recognize the legitimacy or legality of the National Assembly installed on January 5” in Venezuela.

“This illegitimate National Assembly is the product of the fraudulent elections of December 6, 2020, organized by the illegitimate regime of Nicolás Maduro,” the Lima Group said in a statement.

LIMA (Reuters) - Ruben Guevara was marching in teargas-filled streets in Lima in November when he was hit in the face by what felt like a gas canister, severely damaging his right retina.

“We were protecting people who had already fallen to the ground and police kept moving forward and shooting straight at us,” said Guevara, 32, a father of two.

LIMA, Dec 3 (NNN-TELESUR) — Peruvian President Francisco Sagasti’s administration decreed a state of emergency in six northern departments due to persistent droughts.

The state of emergency was put into effect in 181 districts located in the Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque, Cajamarca, La Libertad, and Ancash Departments.

The provision states that immediate and necessary emergency measures and actions may be taken to reduce the very high risk that exists, as well as to respond and rehabilitate in case of emergency.

LIMA, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Peru's President Francisco Sagasti on Friday called on all social and political sectors to start a process of national dialogue to overcome the socio-economic and political challenges facing the country.

"It is time to start a process of inclusive national dialogue, open to all, in what could serve as the basis for future constitutional change," he said.

Sagasti's remarks were made during an official tour of the city of Huaura, 147 kilometers north of the capital Lima.

LIMA, Nov 21 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Peru’s interim president appointed veteran economist Waldo Mendoza as his finance minister in a bid to shore up investor confidence shaken by political turmoil.

Interim President Francisco Sagasti swore in most of his 19-member ministerial team on Wednesday after becoming the country’s third leader in little more than a week.

Mendoza, a former deputy finance minister and central bank board member, was previously the head of the public finance commission in Lima. He’s the country’s ninth finance minister in less than five years.

LIMA, Peru (AP) — Peru’s political crisis appeared on the verge of resolution Monday as Congress cleared the way for an elder statesman and consensus candidate to become the country’s third president in a week.

People waved the nation’s red-and-white flag and blared horns outside the gates of Congress as Francisco Sagasti of the centrist Purple Party was selected the legislature’s new president.

LIMA, Peru (AP) — Peru’s interim president resigned Sunday as the nation plunged into its worst constitutional crisis in two decades following massive protests unleashed when Congress ousted the nation’s popular leader.

In a short televised address, Manuel Merino said Congress acted within the law when he was sworn into office as chief of state Tuesday, despite protesters’ allegations that legislators had staged a parliamentary coup.

“I, like everyone, want what’s best for our country,” he said.

LIMA, Peru (AP) — Who is the president of Peru?

That answer to that question early Monday was no one.

The Latin American nation’s political turmoil took a chaotic turn Sunday when interim leader Manuel Merino quit and Congress couldn’t decide on his replacement. That left Peru rudderless and in crisis less than a week after legislators ignited a storm of protest by removing President Martín Vizcarra, an anti-corruption crusader highly popular among Peruvians.