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SAO PAULO – Former Peruvian First Lady Nadine Heredia and her youngest son have departed for Brazil after the neighboring nation granted her asylum. This development follows the sentencing of her husband, former President Ollanta Humala, on corruption charges related to the Odebrecht scandal. The controversial decision to grant asylum has sparked debate in Peru as the country grapples with the fallout from widespread political corruption.
Former First Lady Heredia Granted Asylum in Brazil
According to her legal representative, Julio Espinoza, Heredia left Peru early Wednesday aboard a Brazilian government aircraft. A spokesperson for Brazil’s Foreign Ministry verified the flight’s departure to Brazil but did not disclose further information.
Court Sentences Humala and Heredia in Odebrecht Case
Just a day prior, a Peruvian court delivered a significant ruling, sentencing former President Ollanta Humala and Heredia to 15 years of imprisonment. They were convicted of illegally moving funds originating from Brazilian construction conglomerate Odebrecht to finance Humala’s presidential bids in 2006 and 2011.
Humala was immediately taken into custody following the court session. Heredia, 48, along with her 14-year-old son, Samin Humala, had sought refuge in the Brazilian Embassy.
Diplomatic Asylum and Safe Passage
Peru’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement Tuesday evening confirming Brazil’s grant of diplomatic asylum to the former first lady and her son. This action is based on a 1954 treaty to which both Peru and Brazil are signatories. Peruvian authorities authorized their safe passage to Brazil.
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The Peruvian Foreign Ministry has not yet responded to requests for additional comments.
Brother Also Implicated
Ilán Heredia, the former First Lady’s brother, also received a 12-year prison sentence in the same money laundering case, highlighting the wide reach of the corruption charges.
Details of the Corruption Scheme
The court determined that Humala and Heredia accepted nearly $3 million in illicit contributions for political campaigns. These funds originated from Odebrecht and the administration of Venezuela’s then-President Hugo Chávez.
Humala, a 62-year-old retired military officer, assumed the presidency in 2011 after defeating Keiko Fujimori in a runoff election.
Long Trial and Pretrial Detention
The trial proceedings commenced in 2022. Alongside Humala and Heredia, eight other individuals were found guilty. Both Humala and Heredia were previously held in pretrial detention from 2017 to 2018 at the request of prosecutors to prevent potential flight.
Odebrecht Bribery Scandal’s Impact
Odebrecht’s 2016 confession of widespread bribery across Latin America precipitated the investigations against Humala, which began in 2015, prior to the company’s disclosures.
Widespread Implications for Peruvian Politics
Numerous Peruvian presidents who have governed since 2001 have faced legal scrutiny due to connections with Odebrecht. Alejandro Toledo is currently imprisoned, and former President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski is under house arrest. Alan García, who served two non-consecutive presidential terms, died by suicide in 2019 as authorities moved to apprehend him in connection with Odebrecht bribes, illustrating the extensive reach of the scandal.
Beyond former presidents, other prominent political figures, including former presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori and numerous former governors, are also under investigation in the ongoing Odebrecht corruption probe.