a Peruvian court sentenced former President Alejandro Toledo to over 20 years in prison for receiving millions in bribes from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht.
The 78-year-old economist, who governed Peru from 2001 to 2006, was found guilty of collusion and money laundering after accepting $35 million to favor Odebrecht in contracts to build parts of a critical international highway between Peru and Brazil.
Despite Toledo’s plea for leniency due to his age and health issues, including cancer and heart conditions, the court upheld the recommended sentence from prosecutors.
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In a previous hearing, Toledo asked to be allowed to receive treatment in a private clinic or spend his final days at home. He remained calm throughout Monday's verdict, taking notes but not addressing the court.
Toledo’s legal team has announced plans to appeal the ruling. He had lived in the United States for several years before being extradited in 2023 following a surrender at a California federal court.
Odebrecht, now rebranded as Novonor, has admitted to paying extensive bribes throughout Latin America, involving numerous political and business figures in the "Car Wash" corruption scandal. Several Peruvian presidents, including Toledo, have been implicated.
His predecessors, Alan Garcia and Pedro Pablo Kuczynski were also caught in the scandal, with Garcia tragically taking his own life in 2019 as authorities arrived to arrest him. Kuczynski resigned in 2018 due to his involvement in the case.
Former President Alberto Fujimori, who led Peru from 1990 to 2000, resigned amidst a separate corruption scandal and later faced trial after being extradited from Chile.
Released from prison last December on humanitarian grounds, Fujimori passed away in September at age 86 following a prolonged battle with cancer.
