ADVERTISEMENT

LatAm summit makes corruption fight a priority

The Lima Commitment on "Democratic Governability Against Corruption" was a sign of the "firm will" of the region to vanquish graft, Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra told the gathering.

The adopted text, containing 57 points, amounted to a policy statement setting a goal for all the countries to follow.

It had been negotiated over the past seven months.

During that time, Latin America has seen turmoil in many countries related to corruption -- including the resignation of Peru's previous president three weeks ago, the jailing of Brazil's former president a week ago, and increased scrutiny on Guatemala's current president by a UN-backed body.

ADVERTISEMENT

The region also came under a cloud of malaise linked to a massive political bribery scheme with the Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht at the center.

And in the wake of the Panama Papers scandal, US sanctions were imposed on powerful family businesses in Central America allegedly linked to drug trafficking. Rising global concerns over money laundering have added to the malaise.

Anti-bribery efforts

A meeting of foreign ministers on Friday had reached consensus on the document.

"The fact that after several summits, in this one we have a consensus document worked out by the foreign ministers is a signal of the efforts and search for common ground by us, the countries of the Americas," Vizcarra said.

ADVERTISEMENT

The document calls for stepped-up efforts to prevent the bribery of public officials, legal norms holding companies responsible for acts of corruption, greater transparency in political financing, and anti-corruption clauses in public contracts.

Yet the document set out no enforceable measures to meet the goal, leaving it up to the countries to implement the commitment.

The two-day Lima summit, which was to wrap up later Saturday, took place without its most prominent guest: US President Donald Trump.

The US leader had canceled on Tuesday, sending his Vice President Mike Pence instead. Trump stayed in Washington to oversee the military preparations that resulted in air strikes on Syria in alliance with Britain and France, in response to a suspected poison gas attack on Syrian civilians.

Pence on Saturday said the military action "degraded and crippled the chemical weapons capability of Syria," and he hoped that Syria, as well as "their patrons in Russia and Iran, once and for all abandon the use of chemical weapons against innocent civilians."

ADVERTISEMENT

Pence was to leave Lima late Saturday after bilateral meetings with other leaders.

One planned meeting gathering attention was to be with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto.

Ties between the United States and Mexico have been tense since Trump took power, frayed by issues that include the US president's desire to build a wall along the shared border and US demands to revisit the North American Trade Agreement.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Gambling investment is evil, will take away everything - Cleric warns youths

Gambling investment is evil, will take away everything - Cleric warns youths

All teachers need to learn digital skills to earn their students’ respect

All teachers need to learn digital skills to earn their students’ respect

Lagos lawmaker begins road construction in Yaba to ease residents' plights

Lagos lawmaker begins road construction in Yaba to ease residents' plights

Over 100 inmates in Kano seek mercy, review of death sentences

Over 100 inmates in Kano seek mercy, review of death sentences

FG shuts KFC outlet that 'humiliated' Gbenga Daniel's wheelchair-bound son

FG shuts KFC outlet that 'humiliated' Gbenga Daniel's wheelchair-bound son

Reps vow to retrieve sold Govt helicopters, summon aviation ministers

Reps vow to retrieve sold Govt helicopters, summon aviation ministers

Distress of abducted Kuriga school children led to successful rescue - DHQ

Distress of abducted Kuriga school children led to successful rescue - DHQ

Reps halt NASU's strike to resolve dispute between FG, universities

Reps halt NASU's strike to resolve dispute between FG, universities

Lagos VIS seizes 50 unroadworthy vehicles in enforcement operation

Lagos VIS seizes 50 unroadworthy vehicles in enforcement operation

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT