Peru Roundup: Ex-president banned from travelling, 13 miners executed, biodiversity pact
Former President Kuczynski banned from travel for 18 months
The Federal Justice Party (PJ) approved an 18-month travel ban on former President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, who is under investigation for money laundering related to illicit campaign financing in 2016. The decision follows a request from the Attorney General’s Office for a 36-month restriction after Kuczynski attempted to travel to the United States on Saturday night. The judge ruled that Kuczynski's presence in Peru is necessary to complete the investigation and noted that he could potentially flee to avoid prosecution.
Peru reinstates the Nazca Lines protected zone after mining threat
The Peruvian Government has reinstated the original 5,600 km² protected zone surrounding the Nazca Lines in southern Peru, reversing an earlier decision to reduce it, according to a Reuters report. The reversal follows concerns that the reduced area left the ancient geoglyphs vulnerable to informal mining activities. The Nazca Lines, located approximately 400 km south of Lima, contain over 800 pre-Hispanic geoglyphs
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Thirteen miners executed amid illegal mining conflict
On April 26, 2025, 13 workers from the artisanal mining company R&R, contracted by Minera Poderosa, were reportedly kidnapped in Pataz, northern Peru. One week later, their bodies were found bound, unclothed, tortured, and executed inside a mine tunnel. A recovery team from Minera Poderosa attributed the killings to illegal miners linked to organised crime. This is the second such attack targeting the company; in December 2023, nine workers were also kidnapped and killed.
Peru backs Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara
Peru’s Congress has called on the government to support Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, aligning with the position increasingly adopted by major international powers.
Peru to join high seas biodiversity pact at UN Ocean Conference
President Dina Boluarte reaffirmed Peru’s commitment to ocean sustainability during the plenary session of the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) held Monday in Nice, France. She announced that Peru will sign the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions, aligning the country with international efforts to protect biodiversity in the high seas.
