Peru Bars Ex-President from Leaving Amid Corruption Probe

A Peruvian judge this week barred former President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski from leaving the country amid an ongoing corruption investigation, a case that has reignited debate about judicial overreach in the Andean nation, MercoPress reported.

Over the weekend, immigration officials stopped Kuczynski at Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport as he attempted to board a flight to the United States.

The former leader had planned to undergo a series of medical checks and reunite with his wife, whom he has not seen in seven years.

Kuczynski’s lawyers criticized the move as “administrative kidnapping” and unconstitutional, claiming there was no valid court order in place to block his travel at the time.

But on Sunday, Judge Margarita Salcedo issued a formal 18-month travel ban, citing the seriousness of the charges against him, according to Andina, the Peruvian government’s news agency.

Kuczynski is under investigation for aggravated money laundering, procedural fraud, and false declarations related to his 2016 presidential campaign.

Prosecutors also allege he received over $100,000 from a company tied to the so-called “Construction Club” and from proxy firms allegedly linked to Brazilian conglomerate Odebrecht – the latter known for its sprawling bribery scandal across Latin America.

The episode has further fueled national debate over political corruption and how best to hold leaders accountable.

While some Peruvians see the travel restriction as essential to pursuing justice, others view it as another example of judicial persecution of political figures.

Other former presidents – including Alejandro Toledo and Ollanta Humala – have also faced high-profile legal battles in recent years.

At the same time, Peru has jailed so many former leaders that it has been short of space at the special prison that houses them.