Lima, Peru, April 16, 2025: Brazil’s government has granted political asylum to Nadine Heredia, the former First Lady of Peru, after she was sentenced to 15 years in prison for money laundering tied to campaign financing. Heredia, who served as First Lady from 2011 to 2016 during the administration of her husband, former President Ollanta Humala, sought refuge in the Brazilian Embassy in Lima shortly before her sentencing.
Peru’s Foreign Ministry confirmed Tuesday that it will allow Heredia and her youngest son to leave the country, following a formal asylum request and diplomatic communication from Brazil. While Humala was taken into custody immediately after the court’s decision, Heredia did not attend the sentencing hearing, instead seeking protection from the embassy.
The charges stem from allegations that the couple laundered illegal campaign contributions, including funds from Odebrecht, the scandal-plagued Brazilian construction giant at the center of a massive corruption scandal that has swept across Latin America. Heredia was accused of managing illicit funds and orchestrating complex financial operations during Humala’s presidential campaign.
The Peruvian court found both Heredia and Humala guilty of concealing the origin of foreign campaign donations received between 2006 and 2011, which prosecutors said were funneled through fake contracts and shell companies. Odebrecht, which has admitted to paying bribes to secure government contracts across the region, was a central figure in the investigation.
Brazil’s decision to offer asylum is likely to strain relations with Peru, where the judiciary has aggressively pursued corruption cases against top political figures. Peru holds a global reputation for prosecuting its former leaders—most recently sentencing Humala and previously jailing multiple ex-presidents on corruption charges.
Heredia was seen as a powerful and influential figure during Humala’s presidency, often shaping policy behind the scenes. Their administration maintained close ties with Brazil’s leftist governments, which may have contributed to Brazil’s willingness to provide her with refuge.
The Peruvian government has not yet commented on whether it will seek Heredia’s extradition, though such a move is unlikely to succeed under current asylum protections granted by Brazil.
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