corruption

García's denied asylum reflection of growing corruption in Peru

By Rachel Rozak

January 21, 2019

Last month, former president of Peru Alan García was denied his plea for asylum at the Uruguayan embassy, which stated that as “the three branches of the state function freely” in Peru, García did not have a case for asylum. The president, who has been banned from leaving the country since November, will go on trial for accusation that he took bribes from Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht during his second term in office from 2006 to 2011 (BBC News 2018).

Magic water scandal shows the deep roots of corruption in Guatemalan politics

By Rachel Rozak

October 24, 2018

Last week it was reported that the former vice president of Guatemala, Roxana Baldetti, had been formally sentenced to 15 years in prison following her involvement in what is being called the “Magic Water” scandal. Baldetti was found guilty of participating in and directing a criminal network in the multimillion-dollar scheme, which redirected state funds intended to clean the contaminated Lake Amatitlan (Al Jazeera 2018).

Effects of Corruption on the Economy of Latin America

By Megan Prenatt

April 19, 2018

This article was written as part of the course “Latin American Economic Development” offered by Professor Marla Ripoll, Department of Economic, University of Pittsburgh.

According to a 2017 IMF report, corruption in Latin America is one of the biggest hindrances

on the economy. Corruption can impede prospects for delivering sustainable and effective

growth. Many corruption cases go undocumented due to the fact that in many cases it is illegal

and very well hidden. This makes it difficult to obtain clear data for research. However, with

Lula’s Arrest for Numerous Charges of Corruption

By Rachel Bierly

April 11, 2018

Brazil’s former President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has been in the media’s spotlight for quite some time. President for two terms, from January 1, 2001 to 2011, he was once one of Brazil’s most popular presidents. Coming from a humble background, Lula was born into poverty. He trained to be a metal worker outside of São Paulo and became involved in activism through work with the trade union. After being elected leader of the metal workers’ trade union, it was only a short time until he helped to create Brazil’s first major socialist party, the Worker’s Party.