Shocking statements about prosecutors in the Odebrecht case: Is justice compromised?

Former prosecutor and criminal lawyer Katherine Ampuero has made shocking statements about the work of the State prosecutors in relation to the corruption case involving the company Odebrecht in Peru. According to Ampuero, the current prosecutors have defended the interests of those implicated in corruption scandals instead of pursuing justice properly. One of the most controversial points mentioned by Ampuero is the lifting of embargoes on Jorge Barata, former representative of Odebrecht in Peru, by the current official Silvana Carrión. Barata, who was not convicted of criminal organization or money laundering, only faced charges for collusion in four projects, which has sparked criticisms and questions about the effectiveness of the measures taken. In an interview with the newspaper Expreso, Ampuero highlighted a landmark case related to the gas pipeline, in which Odebrecht has sued the Peruvian State in an international arbitration for the exorbitant sum of 1.2 billion dollars. According to the former prosecutor, this lawsuit is seven times higher than what was negotiated by the Attorney General's Office for the payment of civil reparations, which she considers as a "ridiculous" amount compared to the damage caused. Ampuero also referred to the investigation initiated in 2017 following a complaint filed by the Attorney General's Office, in which high officials and representatives of Odebrecht, as well as former ministers and other key figures in the gas pipeline case, were implicated. The former prosecutor emphasized that, despite the significance of the case, the investigation was irregularly closed by the Lava Jato team, based on a plea agreement that did not cover the gas pipeline issue. The ruling only addressed the responsibility of Odebrecht and Barata in four specific projects, leaving aside other important cases such as the gas pipeline. According to Ampuero, the plea agreement stipulates that investigations are only closed when the collaborator admits criminal responsibility, which does not apply in this case since Odebrecht has not admitted guilt in the gas pipeline matter. The former prosecutor expressed concern about the delayed inclusion of the gas pipeline case in the ongoing investigations, questioning the effectiveness of the measures taken so far and raising doubts about the implementation of judicial decisions. Ampuero emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the investigations and ensuring that those responsible for acts of corruption are properly brought to justice. Amidst these revelations and questions, the work of the State prosecutors in the Odebrecht case has been called into question, sparking a debate about the transparency and effectiveness of the actions taken to combat corruption in the country. Ampuero has drawn attention to the need to thoroughly review procedures and ensure that justice is served impartially and responsibly in such sensitive cases.