Peru Roundup: Plot to kill Israeli, first death by euthanasia, lowered credit rating
18 months detention for Iranian’s plot to kill Israeli
Peru has ordered 18 months of detention for an Iranian and two Peruvian men who allegedly plotted to kill two Israelis living in the Latin American nation. The Iranian suspect, Majid Azizi, is suspected to be a member of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard. Prosecutors claim they have photos, messages, and testimonies showing that in March, Azizi spoke with Peruvians Walter Loja and Ángelo Trucios to arrange the murder of Israeli Shachar Malka, a tour guide and traditional plant healer in Cusco, a city in southeastern Peru.
Psychologist first to die by euthanasia
Peruvian psychologist Ana Estrada, bedridden for years due to an incurable disease, became the first person in Peru to die by euthanasia. After years of legal battles, the Supreme Court granted her the right to die with medical assistance. “Ana’s struggle for her right to die with dignity has helped to educate thousands of Peruvians about this right and the importance of defending it,” her lawyer, Josefina Miró Quesada, said in a statement. Estrada had a blog advocating for the right to die with dignity and participated in court sessions through video conferences. Euthanasia is illegal in most Latin American countries except for Colombia and Ecuador.
Lowered credit rating
Peru's credit rating has been lowered to BBB-, the lowest investment grade, by S&P, due to political uncertainty and public disapproval of President Dina Boluarte and Congress, S&P reported on April 25. “The lack of consensus at the political level continues to prevent policies aiming to rebuild important buffers lost to the pandemic and subsequent economic crises, such as pension savings and the increase on the government’s debt burden,” S&P said in a statement. According to Latin Finance, the rating agency expects the country's complex political landscape to persist in the run-up to the next presidential and Congressional elections in April 2026.
Top global blueberry exporter
Peru has been the top global blueberry exporter since 2019, with exports growing at a rate of over 37% annually. The country cultivates 65 blueberry varieties on 21 thousand hectares and primarily exports to the United States, Europe, and China. Around 20% of Peru's blueberry farms are small-scale, contributing to resilience and extending the harvest season. Peru is also expanding its market to new countries such as Israel and Jordan.
Fresh avocado exports grow in first quarter
In the first quarter of 2024, Peru's fresh avocado exports increased by 35% in volume and 46% in value. The avocados reached 29 international markets, with the Netherlands, Spain, and China as the main destinations. The average price of Peruvian avocados in the international market was US$ 2.22 per kilo, 8% more than last year.
