Peruvian Prosecutor’s Office opens a preliminary investigation against the Minister of Defense for alleged pressure exerted in military promotions

(CNN Spanish) – According to the institution reported this Thursday in a statement.

The note indicates that the decision was made after an “exhaustive and rigorous analysis” of all the statements of the former senior officials, as well as the head of Defense. In addition, it adds that the Public Ministry will collect “in the coming days” the testimonies of Minister Ayala, the Secretary General of the Presidential Office, Arnulfo Bruno Pacheco Castillo, and the former general commanders of the Peruvian Army and Air Force, José Vizcarra Álvarez and Jorge Chaparro Pinto, respectively.

CNN contacted the Defense Ministry to request comment on the announcement from the Prosecutor’s Office. In response, it was said that there will not be a statement yet and that Ayala will appear in Congress this Friday.

The minister made his position available on Monday. “I place my position at the disposal of the President of the Republic and Supreme Chief of the Armed Forces, thanking my country and fulfilling my duty to the country. Do not use pretexts against democracy, “Ayala wrote on his Twitter account. Despite this, and so far, President Pedro Castillo has not commented on the complaints made by former senior military officers or on the permanence in office of the Minister of Defense.

This new ministerial crisis comes when Castillo turns 100 days as president.

Jimena de la Quintana contributed to this report