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Peru Court Overturns Humala’s Money-Laundering Sentence, Frees Ex-President

8/1/2026

39 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Peru's Constitutional Court nullified former President Ollanta Humala's 15-year money-laundering sentence, freeing him on July 31, 2026.
The court said contributions from Brazilian firm Odebrecht (now Novonor) and Venezuela did not constitute money laundering then.
Foreign Minister Carlos Espa called the ruling fair.
Odebrecht admitted $29 million in bribes to Peruvian officials (2005-2014) and paid $3.5 billion in penalties in 2016.

History

Historical Context

After Congress lifted former president Alberto Fujimori’s immunity in 2001, Alejandro Toledo pushed the Supreme Court to try him, leading to a 2009 conviction for human-rights abuses and a 25-year sentence—the first time a Peruvian head of state was jailed by his own courts. That precedent underpins the Constitutional Court’s July 31 2026 decision overturning Ollanta Humala’s 15-year term, reviving debates on anti-bribery reforms.

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Story summary

Peru's Constitutional Court nullified former President Ollanta Humala's 15-year money-laundering sentence, freeing him on July 31, 2026.
The court said contributions from Brazilian firm Odebrecht (now Novonor) and Venezuela did not constitute money laundering then.
Foreign Minister Carlos Espa called the ruling fair.
Odebrecht admitted $29 million in bribes to Peruvian officials (2005-2014) and paid $3.5 billion in penalties in 2016.

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