Alejandro Toledo Sentenced to 20 Years for Bribery

Former Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo has been sentenced to 20 years and six months in prison for accepting $35 million in bribes from Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht. This verdict is significant as it marks Peru's first high-profile conviction related to the extensive Lava Jato corruption scandal that affected multiple Latin American countries. Toledo, who served from 2001 to 2006, denied the charges during his year-long trial, which included testimony from former Odebrecht executive Jorge Barata. The case has drawn attention to the widespread corruption in the region, with Odebrecht admitting to bribing officials in numerous countries to win public contracts. Toledo's legal troubles included a lengthy extradition process from the U.S., where he had resided since 2016. He remains in custody in a Lima prison designed for former presidents, as he continues to face allegations alongside other past leaders.