Strong-willed Peruvian Prime Minister Alberto Otarola resigned on Tuesday in the face of accusations that he used his position of power to influence a young woman he is claimed to have spoken to tenderly in recordings made public by the media.
He said, “in conversation with the President of the Republic I have announced my decision to present my resignation.”
Otarola told reporters in Lima that he was being set up by political rivals when he announced his resignation. He stated that the tapes, which he claimed were produced prior to his taking office in 2022, had been altered and distorted by his opponents.
He presentado mi renuncia al cargo de presidente del Consejo de Ministros para dar tranquilidad a la presidenta y recomponga el gabinete. Continúo al servicio del país, como ha sido durante toda mi vida profesional. pic.twitter.com/LfvQUFXhfR— Alberto Otárola (@AlbertoOtarolaP) March 6, 2024
He presentado mi renuncia al cargo de presidente del Consejo de Ministros para dar tranquilidad a la presidenta y recomponga el gabinete. Continúo al servicio del país, como ha sido durante toda mi vida profesional. pic.twitter.com/LfvQUFXhfR
Otarola, however, said on X that he was leaving “to give the president peace of mind and recompose the cabinet.”
In the audio recordings, Otarola, 57, appears to be speaking to Yazire Pinedo. The 25-year-old woman landed contracts worth $14,000 this year to do archive and administrative work for the government.
In one of the recordings, he allegedly tells her: “Tell me, then, my love, so we can talk. You know these things are annoying, they are a pain, but you also know that I love you.”
