Peru’s Former President Ollanta Humala and Wife Sentenced to 15 Years for Corruption

Peru’s former President Ollanta Humala and his wife, Nadine Heredia, have each been sentenced to 15 years in prison after being found guilty of corruption and money laundering. The ruling was delivered by a Peruvian court on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone in the country’s prolonged battle against high-level political corruption.

The court determined that the couple received $3 million in illicit campaign funding from Brazilian construction conglomerate Odebrecht during Humala’s successful 2011 presidential campaign. Prosecutors said the funds were hidden through a series of financial maneuvers and never disclosed, constituting money laundering.

Judge Nayko Coronado, who read out the sentence, said, “It has been proven that Ollanta Humala and Nadine Heredia received illegal contributions for their campaign and concealed the origin of these funds through a complex scheme designed to evade Peruvian laws.”

Humala, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, reacted to the verdict with strong words. “This is a politically motivated sentence. We are innocent and we will continue to fight for justice,” he told reporters shortly after the ruling.

Heredia echoed her husband's sentiments, calling the trial “a circus designed to damage our reputation and distract the country from real problems.”

The couple had previously spent nine months in pre-trial detention in 2017, though they were released pending further court proceedings.

The case is part of a broader anti-corruption wave that has shaken Peru’s political class. With this ruling, Humala becomes the first former Peruvian president to be convicted in connection to the Odebrecht scandal, which has implicated numerous leaders across Latin America.

Their lawyers have announced plans to appeal the decision, stating, “We believe the evidence was misinterpreted and we will exhaust all legal avenues to overturn this unjust ruling.”