International

Peruvian prosecutor’s office investigates prime minister for corruption

Photo: Presidencia Perú

October 20 |

The Attorney General’s Office of Peru initiated an investigation against the Prime Minister of Peru, Alberto Otárola, for an alleged corruption scheme after the contracting of a company that would provide services to the State.

The investigations are being carried out for the alleged irregular hiring of Rosa Rivera Bermeo in the National Commission for Development and Life without Drugs (Devida), a public agency attached to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers (PCM) and which is responsible for conducting the national anti-drug strategy.

“Fiscalía de la Nación initiated preliminary investigation against Luis Otárola, president of the Council of Ministers, as alleged instigator of the crime of collusion, simple and aggravated modalities, to the detriment of the State; for the alleged hiring of Rosa Rivera Bermeo in Devida”, reads the publication made by the Prosecutor’s Office in the social network “X”.

This alleged corruption scheme would have come to public light last September 17 in the program Panorama, where they revealed that Rosa Rivera and Yaziré Pinedo, obtained positions in public institutions after meeting with Otárola in December 2022 and March 2023.

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Last March 2, according to Panorama, the Prime Minister and Rivera had a half-hour meeting at the headquarters of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers.

After that meeting, the woman said that two contracts were signed with Devida for 27,000 soles, that is, almost 7,000 dollars at the current exchange rate.

Subsequently, Pinedo obtained benefits with contracts in the Ministry of Defense (Mindef); from Panorama they affirmed that the contract was for 53,000 soles, that is, more than 13,500 dollars.

However, the preliminary investigation of the Public Prosecutor’s Office has started for the case in Devida.

These investigations also include Carlos Figueroa, executive president of Devida, as well as the general manager of the entity, Martin Villafuerte, who would have incurred in simple and aggravated collusion, respectively.

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International

Mexico City Mayor Invites U2 to Perform at Iconic Zócalo Plaza

Irish rock band U2, which spent Tuesday and Wednesday filming a new music video for its song Street of Dreams in the Historic Center of Mexico City, received an invitation to perform at the capital’s iconic Zócalo square from Mayor Clara Brugada.

Brugada shared the invitation through social media posts accompanied by photos and a video showing her meeting with the band members.

“This is an invitation for you to perform in our wonderful public square, the Zócalo. You are welcome here, and we would love to have you,” Brugada said in the video while handing a document to Bono, the band’s lead singer.

Bono responded by saying that the group would like “to begin its new tour in Mexico City.”

Referencing one of the band’s most famous songs, In the Name of Love, Brugada said she was greeting Bono along with The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr..

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“Welcoming U2 to our capital means celebrating music, connection and the emotion that can be felt in every corner of this city,” Brugada wrote in one of her messages. “We are a city open to the world, vibrant and full of stories shared from the stage to the streets.”

She also described the Zócalo as “the country’s most important public square” and a cultural landmark for Latin America.

Over the years, the Zócalo has hosted massive concerts by internationally renowned artists and bands including Roger Waters, Paul McCartney, Manu Chao, Café Tacvba, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Los Tigres del Norte, La Maldita Vecindad, Silvio Rodríguez, Joan Manuel Serrat, Rosalía and Shakira, drawing hundreds of thousands of fans.

International

Marco Rubio Urges China to Help Restrain Iran Amid Gulf Tensions

Marco Rubio said Wednesday that Washington hopes to persuade China to take a more active role in stopping Iran from escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf, arguing that the crisis directly threatens Asian commercial interests.

“It is in China’s interest to resolve this situation. We hope to convince them to play a more active role in getting Iran to stop what it is doing now and trying to do in the Persian Gulf,” Rubio said during an interview with journalist Sean Hannity on Fox News while traveling aboard Air Force One.

The top U.S. diplomat said the conflict and concerns over the possible disruption of the Strait of Hormuz have already affected China’s interests.

Rubio noted that “a Chinese cargo ship was struck over the weekend,” referring to the exchange of attacks reported last Friday between Iran and the United States.

The remarks come amid growing international concern over rising tensions in the region and the potential impact on global trade routes and energy supplies.

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International

Trump floats Vance-Rubio potential Republican ticket for 2028 election

U.S. President Donald Trump suggested on Monday that Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubiocould potentially form a Republican presidential ticket for the 2028 elections.

Speaking during a dinner with law enforcement officials as part of National Police Week, Trump publicly praised both officials and said they could make “an ideal team” for the next presidential race.

“Who likes JD Vance? Who likes Marco Rubio?” Trump asked attendees before adding that the pair “sound like a good combination.”

The president highlighted his vice president’s performance in office, stating that their current partnership has been highly effective. “JD is perfect, that has been a perfect formula,” Trump told reporters later.

He further suggested that a Vance-Rubio pairing could represent a strong presidential and vice-presidential ticket, although he stopped short of offering any formal endorsement.

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“I think it sounds like a presidential candidate and a vice-presidential candidate,” he said, while clarifying that his remarks should not be interpreted as an official backing of any future campaign.

So far, neither Vance nor Rubio has publicly confirmed any intention to run in the 2028 presidential election.

Rubio previously sought the Republican nomination in 2016 but withdrew after losing the primary race to Trump. Later, in a December 2025 interview with Vanity Fair, he said he would be among the first to support Vance if he decided to run for the White House.

Vance, meanwhile, has recently dismissed speculation of any political rivalry with Rubio amid growing discussion about potential future GOP leadership.