Peruvian journalist Mirko Lauer used his August 10 opinion column to assess several political figures, from imprisoned former president Pedro Castillo to President Keiko Fujimori.
Lauer wrote that Castillo is unlikely to leave prison soon, though his followers are growing. He said supporters argue Castillo won the runoff where Roberto Sánchez lost and is being punished for it, a narrative Lauer called false but more comfortable than admitting Castillo was a failed coup leader.
Lauer called Carlos Espá's appointment the most mysterious of the moment. He said Espá's US Embassy work history isn't the issue; his political affiliation is, asking whether Espá is a liberal recommended by Álvaro Vargas Llosa, as journalist Fernando Vivas has said, or a right-wing hardliner replacing Fernando Rospigliosi.
Fujimori's cabinet and López Aliaga's Lima list
On Fujimori, Lauer wrote that she is negotiating a confidence vote while facing ideological and political problems with parts of her cabinet. He said her relative silence is being read as a green light for ministers to act on their own, and asked whether Betsy Chávez would get safe conduct.
Lauer criticized Rafael López Aliaga for leading what he called a common electoral trick: seeking reelection while resigning from another post. He said the No. 1 candidate on RN's Lima mayoral list, a man pictured in a white suit and identified only as Rubio, who resigned, still owes an explanation. Lauer doubted RN could win Lima in October.
Nieto, Rey and Sánchez
Lauer wrote that Jorge Nieto feels more comfortable near the left but may not stay there long, complicating matters for Sánchez through his presence in the opposition bloc. Nieto's best options remain the political center and acting issue by issue, Lauer wrote, adding that if Nieto is eyeing 2031 he needs to act outside Congress.
Lauer said Rafael Rey has been treating his ministry like a television program. Calling the Nazca tragedy an accident, or citing rigid air transport regulations, says nothing, he wrote, adding that the story made headlines worldwide.
Lauer questioned what Sánchez is actually leading, writing that the opposition bloc in Congress is not as left-leaning as Sánchez suggests and that no issue has yet emerged to unite it. He said elements of a clash with the executive are in the air, and that Castillo's supporters do not like Sánchez, for obvious reasons.
