A critical witness in the corruption trial against former Lima mayor Susana Villarán has been discovered dead at his residence, according to Peruvian authorities. José Miguel Castro, an official in the municipality during Villarán’s tenure spanning from 2011 to 2014, was set to contribute significantly to the trial scheduled to begin on September 23.
While he was under house arrest, Castro was closely involved with the prosecution in the ongoing investigation surrounding allegations against Villarán, who faces severe charges including collusion and money laundering in relation to receiving bribes amounting to $10 million from Brazilian construction companies. Prosecutor José Domingo Pérez identified Castro as the “second most important person” connected to Villarán, emphasizing that his testimony was highly anticipated.
In the past, Villarán had confessed to receiving funds from the implicated companies, Odebrecht and OAS, but has consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the funds were not bribes. The death of Castro, the alleged second-in-command in the criminal organization connected to the case, leaves a significant gap in the prosecution's is position as they prepare for the upcoming trial.
The corruption scandal involving the construction giant Odebrecht has implicated several high-ranking officials across various governments in Latin America. This has led to significant legal repercussions, with many former Peruvian presidents also facing investigations for similar offenses.
The implications of Castro's death on the forthcoming trial will be keenly scrutinized as it unfolds, adding a layer of uncertainty to an already complex and murky legal situation.
