Former Peruvian President Ollanta Humala and Wife Nadine Heredia Sentenced to 15 Years for Money Laundering

Peru's former President Ollanta Humala leaves the court, followed by his lawyer, Wilfredo Padraza in Lima, Peru, April 15, 2025

A Peruvian court has sentenced former President Ollanta Humala and his wife, Nadine Heredia, to 15 years in prison for laundering nearly $3 million in illegal campaign contributions received from Brazilian construction conglomerate Odebrecht and the Venezuelan government under former President Hugo Chávez. The funds were used to support Humala’s presidential campaigns in 2006 and 2011.

The National Superior Court issued the verdict on Tuesday, concluding a high-profile trial that began in 2022 and included convictions for eight other individuals. Heredia’s brother, Ilán Heredia, was also sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in the scheme.

Peru's former President Ollanta Humala arrives to the court for his trial connected to the financing of his 2006 and 2011 campaigns. Lima, Peru, April 15, 2025

Shortly before the verdict was made public, Nadine Heredia entered the Brazilian embassy in Lima and requested asylum under the 1954 Convention on Diplomatic Asylum, which is recognized by both Peru and Brazil. The Peruvian Foreign Ministry confirmed her presence at the embassy and her asylum request later in the day.

Presiding Judge Nayko Coronado ordered that those convicted be jailed immediately. Ollanta Humala, who was present in the courtroom, was taken into custody by police and escorted out after sentencing. Dressed in a suit and tie, the 62-year-old former military officer was seen writing and speaking on his mobile phone during the proceedings. His wife did not attend the session, with her defense citing health issues and confirming she followed the verdict online.

The court's decision mandates that Humala and Heredia remain incarcerated until July 28, 2039. This ruling makes Humala the third former Peruvian president to be imprisoned for corruption-related offenses within the last two decades. He joins Alejandro Toledo, sentenced in 2024 to 20 years in prison for crimes linked to Odebrecht, and Alberto Fujimori, who received multiple convictions for corruption and human rights abuses.

Peru's former President Ollanta Humala leaves the courtroom in Lima, Peru, April 15, 2025, after being sentenced to 15 years in prison along with his wife for money laundering

The initial investigation into Humala and Heredia began in 2015, predating Odebrecht’s 2016 admission to extensive bribery operations throughout Latin America. Both were held in pretrial detention between 2017 and 2018 to prevent possible flight.

Humala rose to power in 2011 after defeating right-wing rival Keiko Fujimori in the runoff election. The fallout from the Odebrecht scandal has deeply impacted Peruvian politics, with nearly every president since 2001 facing legal consequences. Former President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski is currently under house arrest, while former President Alan García died by suicide in 2019 as authorities attempted to arrest him over Odebrecht-related charges. Investigations continue against prominent political figures, including Keiko Fujimori and several former regional governors.