The new Minister of Economy is generating controversy due to his vision of the Peruvian economy.

The new head of the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), José Arista, has sparked controversy by expressing his opinion that the Peruvian economy is still in recession, despite some recent signs of recovery. In an interview with RPP, Arista explained that, in his view, the country has not yet fully emerged from the recession and it is not accurate to claim that it is in an economic expansion phase, as his predecessor, Alex Contreras, had stated before leaving office. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI), the Peruvian economy contracted by 0.55% in the period from January to December 2023. Sectors such as fishing and construction showed significant declines, while mining and hydrocarbons experienced an increase of 8.21%. Arista's stance contrasts with the optimistic view of Contreras, who claimed that the Peruvian economy had emerged from the recession and was in the process of expansion. The former minister pointed out positive signs for the economy at the end of the first month of 2024, highlighting the rebound in private investment. Arista, on the other hand, has been more cautious in his statements, indicating that it is necessary to analyze the results of the coming months to have a clearer view of the country's economic situation. Although he acknowledges positive indicators, such as the growth of private investment in January, he prefers to wait before stating that the Peruvian economy has fully emerged from the recession. In this context, Minister Arista has emphasized the importance of maintaining a prudent and realistic approach to the current economic situation, avoiding excessive optimism. Uncertainty persists about when the country will fully emerge from the recession, and it is expected that the results of the coming months will shed more light on Peru's economic outlook. The discrepancy between Arista's and Contreras' views reflects the complexity of the current economic situation and the need to carefully evaluate the data before making forecasts. Meanwhile, the MEF continues to work on measures to boost the economy and promote recovery, amid a scenario marked by uncertainty and the economic challenges facing the country.