Peru’s former president seeks asylum

Once Peruvian president, Alan Garcia, has sought asylum at the Uruguayan embassy after being barred from leaving the country while investigations into his corruption are on-going.

On Saturday (November 17), a judge in Lima granted prosecutors’ request that Alan Garcia is banned from leaving Peru for 18 months as investigations take place. Allegedly, he received illegal payment from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht in exchange for government contracts to build a metro in Peru’s capital – Lima.

The former president denies these charges, claiming victimhood of political persecution.

Uruguay is still to confirm whether it will give Garcia asylum.