Memorial held for ex-Peru leader Alan García who killed self
In this July 11, 2011 file photo, Peru’s outgoing President Alan García, left center, rides the new Line 1 electrical train system, in Lima, Peru. Current Peruvian President Martinez Vizcarra said Garcia, the 69-year-old former head of state died Wednesday, April 17, 2019, after undergoing emergency surgery in Lima. Garcia shot himself in the head early Wednesday as police came to detain him in connection with a corruption probe. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia, File)
LIMA, Peru — The body of former Peruvian President Alan García has been taken to the headquarters of his political party for a memorial service, after he fatally shot himself in the head moments as authorities arrived at his home to detain him in a corruption investigation.
The vehicle carrying the coffin snaked through a crowd of supporters gathered outside the building Wednesday night. Several men carried his wooden casket inside to chants of “Alan! Alan!”
Peru has declared three days of national mourning in his honor. The executive decree declares Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday days of national mourning. It also authorizes García to receive presidential honors at his funeral.
An official funeral service is expected later in the week.
García shot himself in the head Wednesday morning moments after police came to detain him in connection with the Odebrecht corruption scandal.
García had not been charged but a judge ordered his preliminary detention.
Prosecutors said they believed the former president received more than $100,000 from Odebrecht, disguised as a payment to speak at a conference in Brazil. But García professed his innocence and said he was being targeted politically.
The former chief of state was a populist firebrand who twice served as president, and at his peak was hailed the “president of hope.”
Doctors earlier said García died from a “massive cerebral hemorrhage from a gunshot and cardiorespiratory arrest.”
A statement released by the José Casimiro Ulloa Hospital in the capital of Lima on Wednesday said García died about three hours after arriving at the hospital for the bullet wound.
He was initially hospitalized for an “uncontrollable hemorrhage at the base of the skull” at 6:45 a.m. local time and entered surgery about thirty minutes later. García was pronounced dead at 10:05 a.m.
Authorities arrived at García’s home early Wednesday to detain him in connection with a corruption probe, whereupon they say he shut himself in a bedroom and the sound of gunfire was heard.
García’s lawyer said he was distressed over the accusations, and that his client maintained his innocence.
Condolences over the death of the former Peruvian leader has started to pour in from around Latin America.
Former Mexican President Felipe Calderón wrote on Twitter that, “With virtues and imperfections, he realized great changes that allowed Peru’s economy to become one of the fastest growing in Latin America and in the world.”
Organization of American States Secretary General Luis Almagro also expressed his condolences to the family of the former president. /kga
HOW TO GET HELP
The Department of Health (DOH) earlier said suicide is a tragedy that could be avoided. Those who may have mental health issues and need help can contact its Hopeline, a 24/7 suicide prevention hotline in the Philippines, at (02) 804-4673 and 0917-5584673, 0917-5582919 for Globe and TM subscribers.
If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please reach out to the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH). Their crisis hotlines are available at 1553 (Luzon-wide landline toll-free), 0917-899-USAP (8727), 0966-351-4518, and 0908-639-2672. For more information, visit their website: (https://doh.gov.ph/NCMH-Crisis-Hotline)
Alternatively, you can contact Hopeline PH at the following numbers: 0917-5584673, 0918-8734673, 88044673. Additional resources are available at ngf-mindstrong.org, or connect with them on Facebook at Hopeline PH.
