Persistence of corruption and impunity: challenges facing Peru

After seven years at the helm of the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic of Peru, Nelson Shack has expressed his concern about the persistence of corruption in the country, stating that impunity is the main obstacle to effectively combat it. During an interview, Shack highlighted the progress in preventing and detecting corrupt acts thanks to the implementation of concurrent control and the approval of relevant laws. However, he emphasized the lack of exemplary sanctions against those responsible for the damages to the State, which amount to more than 24.268 billion soles in 2023. One of the most critical points that Shack highlighted was the prevailing impunity in the country, mentioning that, despite the detections and attributions of responsibility, no corrupt official has received an effective sanction. This impunity has generated frustration among the population and has contributed to perpetuating corruption at all levels of the State. Furthermore, Shack emphasized the issue of handpicked contracts and consultancies in the state apparatus, indicating that exorbitant amounts have been spent in these areas, often without transparency or competition. This lack of control and opacity in contracts are a reflection of the disorder and inefficiency that characterize the system. Regarding the current government's management, Shack acknowledged that there are structural problems that cannot be solved in one year, but he emphasized the need for greater efficiency and execution of public resources to ensure the well-being of the population. He also advocated for a comprehensive reform of the justice system to ensure accountability and effective law enforcement. In this context, Shack announced his intention to present a bill to create a specialized government control procuratorate, with the aim of strengthening the oversight capacity and combating impunity in acts of corruption. Faced with the complex situation of corruption and impunity in Peru, Shack called on all authorities and stakeholders to join forces in a concerted effort to implement significant reforms that will eradicate these scourges and promote transparency and justice in the country.