International

The Prosecutor’s Office asks to prevent Peru’s departure from the suspended attorney general Patricia Benavides

The Prosecutor’s Office of Peru sued before a supreme court the impediment of leaving the country for the suspended attorney general, Patricia Benavides, investigated for allegedly leading a network of influence trafficking.

The request presented by the Supreme Prosecutor’s Office Specialized in Crimes Committed by Public Officials before the Supreme Court of Preparatory Investigation is based on a procedural danger due to the probable belonging to the criminal organization of the investigated, backed by “numerous elements of conviction,” the Public Prosecutor’s Office said in its social network X account.

This request from the Prosecutor’s Office is known after a team of anti-corruption prosecutors arrested seven people and intervened 21 properties in Lima. The above as part of the investigation of the alleged corrupt network in the Prosecutor’s Office for which Benavides has been suspended from charge.

The Public Ministry reported that the operation was carried out by the Special Team of Prosecutors against Corruption in Power (Eficcop). It had the support of 23 prosecutors and more than 100 police officers.

The operation began at 03:40 am (08:40 GMT) and resulted in the preliminary arrest of seven people for the alleged commission of the crimes of criminal organization, aggravated collusion, influence peddling and others, in addition to 21 raided homes.

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The intervention is carried out within the framework of the investigations by prosecutor Christian Niño Torres, against Jaime Villanueva, Miguel Girao, José Luis Castillo and others who, according to official information, have been linked to Benavides.

Benavides described the operation as a “coarse maneuver” made to “force” his dismissal.

“I reject the crude maneuver, evidently agreed to set up a psychosocial with prosecutors and police to impress the authorities and public opinion and thus force the unjust dismissal,” he said in a video shared on social networks of his lawyer Jorge Del Castillo.

At the end of November, the National Board of Justice (JNJ) opened a lawsuit in Benavides. For the investigation that Eficcop follows him following the complaint of an alleged influence trafficking network in the Prosecutor’s Office.

Benavides, who was suspended from office for six months, said that he is a victim of “an arbitrariness” motivated “by political interests.”

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International

US panel backs Trump-themed coin amid controversy

The United States Department of the Treasury confirmed to AFP that the Commission of Fine Arts approved the design of a new collectible coin featuring Donald Trump, with members of the commission appointed by the current administration.

According to the proposal, the coin will feature an image of Trump standing with clenched fists over a desk on the obverse, while the reverse will display an eagle, a traditional symbol of the United States.

The sale price of the collectible has not yet been disclosed, although the United States Mint typically offers similar items for more than $1,000.

“There is no more iconic portrait for the front of these coins than that of our president Donald Trump,” U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach said in a statement sent to AFP. He added that two additional coins — a $1 piece and a one-ounce gold coin — are also under consideration.

However, the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC), another body responsible for reviewing new coin proposals, declined to discuss the Trump design in late February.

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“Only nations governed by kings or dictators place the image of a sitting leader on their currency,” said Donald Scarinciat the time. “No country in the world has minted coins featuring a democratically elected leader during their term in office,” he added.

When contacted by AFP, the Treasury Department did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.

International

Fed’s Waller warns of rising inflation risks amid Middle East conflict

Christopher Waller, a governor at the Federal Reserve, said Friday that he is increasingly concerned about the inflationary impact of the ongoing conflict involving United States and Israel against Iran, particularly due to the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Waller, who had supported interest rate cuts over the past year amid concerns about the labor market, said he has shifted his stance in recent weeks due to rising inflation risks.

“Since the Strait of Hormuz was closed, it suggests this conflict could be much more prolonged and that oil prices will remain elevated for longer,” Waller said in an interview with CNBC.

“Therefore, this indicates that inflation is a greater concern than I had previously assessed,” he added.

Waller also backed the Federal Reserve’s decision earlier this week to keep interest rates unchanged, signaling a more cautious approach as global geopolitical tensions continue to affect economic outlooks.

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International

Brazil offers to mediate Colombia-Ecuador tensions, calls for restraint

The government of Brazil has offered to mediate in the ongoing tensions between Colombia and Ecuador, while calling on both nations to exercise restraint.

In a statement released Wednesday, Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the parties involved to act with moderation and seek a peaceful resolution to the dispute.

“Brazil encourages all sides to act with moderation in order to find a peaceful solution to the controversy. It stands ready to support dialogue efforts aimed at preserving peace and security in the region,” the statement said.

Brazil also expressed “serious concern” over reports of deaths in the border area between Colombia and Ecuador, noting that the circumstances surrounding the incidents have not yet been clarified.

The diplomatic move comes amid rising tensions between the neighboring countries, increasing regional concern over stability and security along their shared border.