Peru Roundup: World's oldest human being, Rolex watch scandal, pension bill

World's oldest human being debate

Peru claims to have found a 124-year-old man from the Andean Mountains who could be the world's oldest person. The government of the country asserts that Marcelino Abad, a resident of the central Peruvian region of Huanuco, is 124 years old, potentially making him the oldest living person by a significant margin and possibly surpassing the oldest human ever verified independently. According to Reuters, Peruvian officials state that they are assisting Abad in his application to Guinness World Records for independent verification.

President involved in Rolex watch scandal

Peru’s president, Dina Boluarte, is facing corruption allegations after being seen wearing 14 luxury watches at official events. She initially claimed to have bought them with her own money, but later said they were on loan. El Pais reports that on March 14, the La Encerrona podcast uncovered that Boluarte sported 14 upscale timepieces at different formal occasions. Among them was a steel Rolex Datejust 36 adorned with 18-karat rose gold and diamond accents, estimated at approximately $19,000. Not one of these lavish possessions was disclosed in the mandatory assets declaration for public officials, including the president, even if they were received as gifts. Boluarte's collection has sparked questions about her wealth and led to a police raid on her residence.

$7 Billion pension withdrawal bill

Investors in Peru are concerned about a potential $7 billion pension withdrawal bill. The stock market has already seen a drop and investors fear that pension funds will have to sell assets if the bill is approved. Congress is expected to vote on the bill this Thursday. Bloomberg reports that Congressional approval could spur stock and bond selloff. On the other hand, Lima’s main equities index has dropped 7% since the first vote.

Fossil of 16-million-year-old river dolphin discovered

A 16 million-year-old fossil skull of a river dolphin named Pebanista yacuruna has been found in Peru. It is believed to be the largest dolphin in South America, related to the South Asian river dolphin in India. According to The Japan News Found during the 2018 expedition, published in Science Advances. Ancestors lived in the ocean before moving to freshwater environments in the Amazon and India. Similar species still exist in the Amazon and Orinoco river basins.

Blueberries problem solved

Peru's blueberry exports have rebounded, with a 60% increase in sales in January-February 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. As per EastFruit analysts, following a tumultuous start to Peru's blueberry export season, resulting in the first-ever decrease in the global trade of this popular berry, export volumes are now rebounding. Despite a 20% overall decline in the past 12 months, Peru remains a major exporter to markets such as the USA, the Netherlands, and China. However, competition from Chile, Ukraine, and Poland remains strong.