Lima, Peru
President’s inner circle accused: The sister-in-law of Peruvian President Pedro Castillo was sent to jail this week in a corruption probe that’s reaching ever closer to the embattled leftist leader. Yenifer Paredes, whom Castillo has referred to as his “daughter,” received 30 months of pre-trial detention for alleged influence peddling in the Castillos’ home region of Cajamarca. Prosecutors have opened six criminal investigations against Castillo and his inner circle, and have even requested that his wife be barred from international travel for three years. But they cannot charge or detain Castillo, who has denied all wrongdoing, while he remains president. Since rising from unknown teacher to far-left president last year, Castillo has presided over a widely unpopular and ineffective administration. He’s already survived two impeachment attempts and replaced dozens of cabinet members.