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Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, often referred to as "PPK," is a Peruvian economist, banker, and politician who served as the president of Peru from 2016 to 2018. Born on October 3, 1938, in Lima, he comes from a family of scientists and doctors of European descent. His father, Maxime Kuczynski, was a German Jewish physician who moved to Peru to work on public health programs in rural areas. Pedro Pablo grew up in an international and intellectual environment, and after completing his secondary education in Lima, he went abroad to further his studies.
Kuczynski studied at Oxford University, where he earned a degree in economics, and later attended Princeton University in the United States, where he obtained a master’s degree in public economics. After completing his studies, he worked for several international financial institutions, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. He also served as chief economist at Peru’s Central Reserve Bank in the 1960s.
He entered politics in the 1980s when he was appointed Minister of Energy and Mines under President Fernando Belaúnde Terry. Kuczynski then stepped away from Peruvian politics for several years, working in the banking and financial sector in New York and London. He returned to politics in the early 2000s, becoming Minister of Economy and Finance under President Alejandro Toledo and later serving as Prime Minister in 2005.
In 2016, he ran for president under the banner of his party, Peruanos por el Kambio. His campaign, focused on economic reforms and anti-corruption measures, led him to a narrow victory over Keiko Fujimori in the second round of the election. His presidency was marked by his commitment to liberal economic reforms and infrastructure development, but he also faced mounting accusations of corruption.
In 2017, his government was shaken by revelations linking his cabinet to the Odebrecht corruption scandal, a Brazilian company that had paid bribes to several Latin American officials. Although Kuczynski denied any direct involvement, the allegations weakened his administration. In December 2017, he survived an initial impeachment attempt by Congress through a controversial alliance with lawmakers close to Keiko Fujimori.
However, in March 2018, new revelations emerged about videos allegedly showing attempts to buy votes in his favor to avoid impeachment. Under growing pressure, Kuczynski ultimately resigned on March 21, 2018, marking the premature end of his presidency.
Despite his resignation, Kuczynski continued to influence Peruvian politics and faced several judicial investigations for corruption after leaving office. His presidency is remembered for a combination of ambitious economic reforms and political scandals, which weakened his administration and plunged Peru into a new era of political instability.