Politics Threaten Lima 2019 Progress Once More

(ATR) Peru Vice President Martin Vizcarra is being questioned for his involvement in a contract for an airport that could lead to his resignation.

The head of the transportation ministry also has oversight of the 2019 Pan American Games that has thus far been backlogged by government issues.

Organizers have been unable to meet some financial deadlines to the Pan American Sports Organization and the original minister overseeing the project, Jaime Saavedra, was asked to resign months ago.

PASO leaders told Around the Rings they were surprised by the original sacking of Saavedra that opened up the door for Vizcarra in December 2016. PASO president Julio Maglione told ATR at the time that he trusted Saavedra would "do excellent work for the Pan American Games Lima 2019".

"We know that the Peruvian Education Minister Jaime Saavedra was removed and that the Vice President of Peru, Martin Vizcarra, will be the person that will carry the duties of responsibility together with the President of the Organizing Committee Carlos Neuhaus," PASO president Julio Maglione told ATR.

It now remains to be seen whether another changing of the guard will take place in the offices of local organizers. Peru President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski says any attempts to censor Vizcarra would lead to a call for a motion of confidence to prevent Vizcarra’s resignation.

Pan Am organizers hope any further changes are derailed so that they may focus on the large task of preparing for the games. The Lima 2019 Organizing Committee (COPAL) president Carlos Neuhaus met with PASO leadership from Feb. 25-27 to provide an update on preparations for the event.

PASO vice president Ivar Sisniega was among the coordination commission team headed by Keith Joseph. The commission also includes PASO leaders Jimena Saldaña, Nicole Hoevertsz, Veda Bruno -Victor, Roberto Kenny, Ricardo Probert, Leticia Kawasaki, Michel Fennell and Allian Pompey.

Sisniega lauded the progress in preparations saying the visit was the "most satisfactory" PASO has ever had.

"We have seen many advances in planning, in clearly defining the needs they will have, in preparing everything that will require both to bid and to build," Sisniega said according to COPAL. "We are very excited and in good spirits about what is being developed. We are much more confident that Lima 2019 will be great Games."

The commission visit followed groundbreaking on the Pan American Village in Villa El Salvador on Feb. 24.

Sisniega says the next PASO visit will likely come in the next four to five months after the PASO General Assembly in April where the organization’s next president and executive board will be chosen.

Homepage photo: Getty Images

Written by Kevin Nutley

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