Peruvian Political Scandal Deepens as César Acuña’s Brother Faces Bribery Allegations in Food Safety Crisis
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The brother of prominent Peruvian politician César Acuña, Óscar Acuña Peralta, is embroiled in a growing scandal involving alleged bribery and influence peddling related to a contaminated food crisis that sickened schoolchildren. The accusations center around a scheme to overlook safety violations at a food processing plant, raising serious questions about corruption within the Alianza Para el Progreso (APP) party and the regional government of La Libertad.
The Qali Warma Scandal and Alleged Bribery
The scandal originated from concerns about the quality of food provided to schoolchildren through Qali Warma, the national school feeding program. Investigations revealed that Frigoinca, a company previously implicated in a broader corruption network within the Ministry of Social Inclusion (MIDIS) and the General Directorate of Health (Digesa), was supplying substandard products.
According to reports from “Punto Final” on October 26th, Nilo Burga, the owner of Frigoinca, approached Óscar Acuña Peralta in 2023 seeking assistance in ensuring the continued operation of his Chepén plant, despite mounting concerns about product quality. Burga,who later died under unclear circumstances – with questions raised about potential murder or suicide – allegedly sought a meeting with Aníbal Morillo,the regional health manager of La Libertad,through Acuña Peralta’s influence.
A subsequent inspection of the Frigoinca plant reportedly resulted in a positive report, and officials – including Acuña Peralta, Andiron, Milton Broca, and Jorge Silva Chuna – are suspected of receiving a bribe totaling S/.77,000 for their involvement. A prosecutor explained on November 19, 2025, that search and arrest measures were being carried out in coordination with the Peruvian National Police. Image of prosecutor Reynaldo Abia Arrieta from Public Ministry tweet embedded here
A Pattern of Family Involvement in Politics
This scandal is not occurring in a vacuum. César Acuña has a history of positioning family members for political office under the APP banner. his older brother, Virgilio, founded his own party, Perú Federal, after diverging from Acuña’s political line. His son, Richard, previously served as a congressman and a key operator within APP, while his younger brother, Humberto, has held positions as governor of Lambayeque and a congressman.
Even Acuña’s daughter, María Acuña, has been involved, facing scrutiny over a property dispute in Surco. Following this established pattern, Óscar Acuña Peralta was reportedly preparing a campaign for a Senate seat in la Libertad before the allegations surfaced.
APP’s Response and Growing cynicism
In response to the mounting accusations, APP released a statement on November 19, 2025, announcing that Óscar Acuña Peralta would not participate in the 2026 electoral process. The statement reaffirmed the party’s commitment to “ethics, honorability, transparency and the fight against corruption.” Image of APP’s release embedded here
However, critics argue that this response rings hollow, characterizing it as a cynical attempt to distance the party from the scandal. As one observer noted, Acuña Peralta is “the son of the corruption that has become entrenched” within APP and the la Libertad regional government.
The Future of the Investigation
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities continuing to examine Acuña Peralta’s alleged role in the influence peddling scheme.The scandal has already led to the discovery of disturbing conditions at the Frigoinca warehouse in Lima, where inspectors found decomposed meat and preserves contaminated with rodent excrement.
While Acuña Peralta has remained largely silent, many believe that a full confession and cooperation with authorities would be the most appropriate course of action.the case serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive challenges of corruption in Peruvian politics and the urgent need for greater accountability.
