A key witness linked to the corruption trial involving former Lima mayor Susana Villarán has been discovered dead at his residence, as confirmed by Peruvian prosecutors. With just a few months to go before the scheduled trial, the unexpected death of José Miguel Castro, who was living under house arrest, raises significant concerns around the proceedings. Castro was a municipal official during Villarán's tenure from 2011 to 2014 and was a co-defendant along with her in the case.
Villarán faces serious charges including accepting $10 million in bribes from Brazilian construction firms. Despite admitting in 2019 to receiving funds from these firms, Villarán has consistently maintained that these contributions were not bribes. Castro's cooperation with the prosecution, which was anticipated to be crucial, adds another layer of complexity to the trial set to begin on September 23.
Prosecutor José Domingo Pérez referred to Castro as "the second most important person behind Ms. Villarán," emphasizing the importance of his testimony for the unfolding legal battle. Villarán, now 75, has been accused of multiple criminal offenses, including collusion, money laundering, and leading an organization that profited from illicit dealings with construction behemoths Odebrecht and OAS.
The scandal surrounding Odebrecht has implicated numerous Peruvian politicians, leading to widespread investigations of former leaders. High-profile figures such as Ollanta Humala and Alejandro Toledo have faced significant prison sentences, while other former officials, including Alan Garcia, met tragic endings amid corruption-related inquiries. As investigations continue into other leaders, including Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, the ramifications of this scandal remain substantial.
As the trial date looms, questions regarding the implications of Castro's sudden death and how it may affect the prosecution's case against Villarán grow increasingly urgent.
