Librado Augusto Orozco Zapata appointed Ambassador of Peru to Venezuela

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Today, Tuesday, November 7, the appointment of Librado Augusto Orozco Zapata as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Peru to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela was published in the Bulletin of Legal Norms of the Official Gazette El Peruano.

His appointment was established by Supreme Resolution N° 167-2021-RE, signed by the President of the Republic, Pedro Castillo Terrones, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Oscar Maúrtua.

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OTHER APPOINTMENTS

In other resolutions, the Government also appointed Vitaliano Gaspar Gallardo Valencia as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Peru to Australia. The same was done with Hubert Wieland Conroy, who will serve in Poland; Roberto Hernán Seminario Portocarrero in Japan; and Néstor Francisco Popolizio Bardales in the Czech Republic.

WHO IS LIBRADO AUGUSTO OROZCO ZAPATA?

Orozco Zapata had served as Peru’s ambassador to El Salvador since August 1, 2018. Thus, he is a lawyer from the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú and holds a degree in International Relations from the Diplomatic Academy of Peru.

In the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru, he has served in Strategic Planning, Political Affairs, Peruvian Communities Abroad, and Cabinet of the Minister.

He has also served in the Peruvian Embassies in the former Soviet Union, the Russian Federation, Hungary, and Canada. He has participated in the Permanent Representation of Peru to the United Nations in New York (Security Council).

On the other hand, in the Peruvian Ministry of Defense, he has held the Director of Multilateral Affairs, General Director of International Relations, and Vice Minister of Defense Policies.

RICHARD ROJAS: FORMER PERUVIAN AMBASSADOR TO VENEZUELA UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR ECONOMIC CRIME

It is recalled that the Government of Pedro Castillo had appointed Richard Rojas as Ambassador of Peru in Venezuela; however, due to investigations against him, he did not serve outside the country. On November 12, the Peruvian Public Prosecutor’s Office requested an extension of the prohibition to leave the country against the former Peruvian ambassador in Venezuela, Richard Rojas, who is being investigated for alleged money laundering by his party pro-government Peru Libre.

The Prosecutor’s Office seeks to increase Rojas’ prohibition from six to twelve months with this request. In addition, the former ambassador is also suspected of participating in a criminal organization.

Already last October 21, Judge Jhon Pillaca Valdez imposed a six-month ban on Rojas while he was being investigated for the alleged economic crime of Peru Libre.

Now, the Prosecutor’s Office is basing its request on the fact that the presence of the former ambassador on Peruvian soil is essential for the progress of the investigation since it is expected that he will be able to recognize a series of documents and other belongings seized during the raid on the headquarters of the formation.

HE WAS FIRST APPOINTED AS AMBASSADOR TO PANAMA

At first, Rojas was appointed ambassador in Panama. However, the Panamanian authorities did not approve this appointment, so the Peruvian Government assigned him to the Embassy in Venezuela.

On the other hand, the appointment of Richard Rojas as Ambassador of Peru in Venezuela was canceled last October 22, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In several points, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that, although the Venezuelan Government immediately granted the corresponding approval, the process was interrupted after the Judiciary ordered Rojas to be prevented from leaving the country for six months.