Gregorio Santos, regional president of Cajamarca in northern Peru, was ordered to turn himself in for "preventative" imprisonment by a local anti-corruption prosecutor on June 17. The prosecutor, Walter Delgado, said Santos is under investigation by Peru's Public Ministry [8] for "illicit association" and bribery, although no details were provided. (La Republica [9], June 17) The left-wing Santos has been an outspoken opponent of the US-backed Conga mining project in Cajamarca. With Santos' support, the Conga site has for months been occupied by peasant protesters who oppose the mine project. A major mobilization was held at the site on June 5, to commemorate World Environment Day [10]. (Celedín Libre [11], June 7)
Other regional presidents in Peru's mineral-rich mountain spine also face corruption probes. Last month, César Álvarez, regional president of Áncash, was ordered under preventative detention while he is investigated on charges including criminal association and homicide. In contrast to Santos in Cajamarca, Álvarez has been a vigorous proponent of corporate mineral interests in Áncash. (RPP [12], May 17)
