Alberto Otárola, the president of the Council of Ministers and the most influential voice in President Dina Boluarte's decisions, is reeling. An audio from Sunday's Panorama program is about to end his presence in the executive branch. It is a conversation with Yaziré Pinedo Vásquez, 25 years old and with a technical degree, who he calls “love”, insists on seeing her and repeatedly asks her if she loves him while he asks her to send him her CV give so that he can pave the way for the conclusion of contracts with the state.
“And when are you going to show up? And when will I see you? Then tell me, love, to speak. You know these things bother, they bother, but you know that I love you too. I'll see you tomorrow, okay? Morning? Listen to me, but now send me your CV (Curriculum Vitae) as soon as possible. Don't let it be documented, okay, skinny girl? The summary, nothing more and that your cell phone is there so they can call you,” he says, showing his strength. “(It) is a very nice topic, very cool, very cool, very calm, but I was looking for my documents and I didn't have your resume,” he says of the position offered.
Yaziré Pinedo seems uncomfortable at all times and responds with excuses, suggesting that this is harassment rather than a romantic relationship. The Sunday newspaper revealed that in December 2022, when Otárola was Minister of Defense, the woman secretly visited his office without it being noted in the official minutes and two months later, on February 2, 2023, received two contracts in that office. Portfolio for 53,000 soles (14,324 thousand dollars). As if that were not enough, Pinedo received an email from the Presidency of the Council of Ministers (PCM), already headed by Otárola, offering him a job and asking about his salary requirements. Pinedo ultimately didn't accept.
“You love me? The only thing I want to know is whether you love me or not. Well, my love, it's enough for me, I believe you and I love you. “I adore you, my life?” says Otárola to Yaziré Pinedo at another point in the audio. To make matters worse, Dina Boluarte's right-hand man would have ordered the woman to be pursued using state resources and an official PCM vehicle. “In the beginning, this bastard sent a person to this corner of mine House and another person in that corner. I wanted to see who he was dating, who he was dating. That's why he wanted me to work with him so much,” explains Yaziré Pinedo in another message.
In November 2023, a PCM employee reported the hiding of a vehicle assigned to the Chief of Staff that was sent to a warehouse shortly after it was seized near Pinedo's home. Be that as it may, Yaziré Pinedo was not the only woman from Otárola's circle who would have benefited from this. In March 2023, Rosa Rivera Bermeo received two service orders for 54,000 soles ($14,594,000) from the National Commission for Development and Life Without Drugs, known as Devida, an institution directly dependent on the PCM. When questioned by the press, Rivera limited herself to saying that she had known Otárola for a “long time” and considered him her “friend.”
From Canada, where he is on an official visit, Alberto Otárola defended himself from Platform X and disputed the veracity of the evidence. “I learned that they have been trying to distribute an audio recording for months, the contents of which need to be confirmed. I would like to emphasize once again that there have not been and will not be any irregular recruitments during my time in office. As always in my professional life, they can find me whatever they want. “I am not corrupt and will always defend what is right,” he emphasizes. However, audio and sound expert José Ortega assures that “at a technical level, no manipulation or use of artificial intelligence can be observed.”
Meanwhile, the Presidium of the Republic commented on the scandal in a statement, assuring that “irregular actions that violate the ethical principles of a public official, regardless of where they come from, will not be tolerated.” They also explain that upon their return to Peru, scheduled for this Wednesday, President Boluarte will meet with Otárola “to obtain the relevant explanations and adopt the relevant decisions.”
The outrage has spread like wildfire and calls for the prime minister's resignation. The Association of Regional Movements of Peru (AMRP), which brings together 40 fronts, has listed a number of reasons beyond exposure. “We have denounced Prime Minister Otárola's responsibility for the deaths and injuries during the protests; guilty of failing to act diligently in the face of the climatic onslaught of Cyclone Yaku; guilty of poor international relations; guilty of the insecurity crisis; And now we see him guilty of abusing his influence to exploit a woman's vulnerability. “We demand her immediate removal because if she were allowed to continue, the president would be an accomplice,” they declare.
Members of Congress also denied the incident en masse. MP Diego Bazán, from the Avanza País group, said: “'Friends' of Prime Minister Otárola would receive contracts because of their proximity to him.” Private life is respected, but it is immoral for state resources to be used for his benefit. President Boluarte must remove him from office today, his presence further weakens the government.” Juan Burgos of Unidad y Diálogo Parliamentario insists that “Otárola should not be in government for a minute longer.” “Anyone who gives women jobs for sexual advantages “It is immoral and criminal.” The Democratic Change Caucus – Together for Peru announced that it will submit a request for the vacancy. Beyond the outcome of this story, it is the most sensitive moment for the most influential man in the palace.
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