Latino

Ex-Peru president dies at hospital after shooting himself: report

by Rafael Bernal - 04/17/19 9:46 AM ET

The former president of Peru, Alan García, died Wednesday after shooting himself before police could take him into custody over corruption charges.

García’s lawyer, Erasmo Reyna, confirmed the shooting to a local TV station, according to The Associated Press. The station reported that as authorities attempted to detain García, the former president went to his room and attempted to take his life.

The 69-year-old García was taken to a nearby hospital to undergo emergency surgery, where he died later Wednesday.

Peruvian President Martín Vizcarra confirmed García’s death and expressed his condolences.

“Devastated by the death of ex president Alan García. Sending my condolences to his family and loved ones,” Vizcarra wrote on Twitter.

Consternado por el fallecimiento del ex presidente Alan García. Envío mis condolencias a su familia y seres queridos.

— Martín Vizcarra (@MartinVizcarraC) April 17, 2019

The former president was under investigation by Peruvian authorities for his role in the Odebrecht scandal, where a Brazilian construction company bribed dozens of Latin American politicians.

{mosads}García tried to discredit the investigations against him, accusing authorities of staging a political persecution with “no shred of evidence” against him.

García was president of Peru twice, first from 1985 to 1990, and from 2006 to 2011.

— This story was updated April 17 at 12:05 p.m.

Tags Peru Shooting