Surprise turn in the Cocteles case: new evidence and key testimony shake up the defense of Fuerza Popular

In a surprising turn of events in the Cocteles case, Fuerza Popular's lawyer, Christian Salas, informed the panel of the Third National Criminal Court at the end of his argumentation on the fourth day of hearings that he will present as "new evidence" in the case the testimony of Jaime Villanueva, known as 'The Philosopher'. Villanueva, advisor to former prosecutor Patricia Benavides and self-proclaimed friend of prosecutor José Domingo Pérez, in charge of the investigation against Keiko Fujimori and 40 other defendants, will be key in Fuerza Popular's defense strategy to discredit the Cocteles case. Salas stated during the session: "We will demonstrate that this case was generated improperly. At the appropriate procedural moment, we will present the testimony of Jaime Villanueva, who will explain how this case started. This is part of our theory of the case and the explanation we will give to the panel." Additionally, Salas does not rule out proposing that the former director of Odebrecht in Peru, Jorge Barata, testify from Brazil to clarify whether the money supposedly given to political parties, including Fuerza Popular, came from the "slush fund" used to pay bribes. For Salas, this will demonstrate that the case is "fabricated" due to lack of evidence. "If the Public Prosecutor's Office does not prove everything they claim, there must be an explanation." During their defense arguments before the court, the lawyers of four other defendants in the Cocteles case also questioned the validity of the accusations. Giulliana Loza, lawyer for Keiko Fujimori, categorically denied the existence of money laundering, obstruction of justice, or criminal organization on the part of her client and Fuerza Popular. Humberto Abanto, lawyer for Jaime Yoshiyama, argued that his client's alleged simulation scheme does not constitute money laundering, as the funds received come from a legitimate source. Meanwhile, the defense of José Chlimper and Arsenio Oré also rejected the accusations, insisting on the lack of concrete evidence from the Public Prosecutor's Office. Keiko Fujimori, in statements to the press, denounced the existence of a "circus led by a prosecutor obsessed with me and with Fuerza Popular." On the other hand, the group that attacked Giulliana Loza, 'Coordinadora Democracia Sí, Dictadura No', did not appear outside the court. The inclusion of Jaime Villanueva as a key witness, the possible testimony of Jorge Barata from Brazil, and the reactions of the defense lawyers of the accused suggest a twist in the Cocteles case. The uncertainty and accusations of evidence fabrication raise questions about the integrity of the investigation and the impartiality of the Public Prosecutor's Office. The hearing will continue to unveil details and arguments in this complex legal case, which has kept the public opinion on edge and polarized the political scene. The next steps in the process will determine the course of this case that has captured the attention of the entire country and promises to continue generating controversy in the coming weeks.