Peru’s new president vows to tackle endemic corruption
LIMA, Peru — New President Martin Vizcarra promised to fight Peru’s corruption head on as he assumed the office Friday vowing to heal the wounds left by a vote-buying scandal that abruptly forced his predecessor from office.
In his first address as president, the relatively unknown former governor of Peru’s second-smallest state appealed for national unity and urged young Peruvians not to succumb to cynicism.
“Don’t lose faith in our institutions,” Vizcarra, who had been vice-president, said in remarks to congress shortly after being draped in the red and white presidential sash. “Let us show you that Peru is bigger than its problems.”
Vizcarra’s 15-minute speech was short on specifics. Other than vowing to form a completely new Cabinet, he gave little insight into how he would attack endemic corruption.