Former Peru president Paniagua wrongly reported dead

Peru’s former President Valentine Paniagua, who led Peru back to democracy after the collapse of the corruption-ridden regime of Alberto Fujimori, was in intensive care today, prompting a false report of his death by his party leader.

Paniagua’s personal doctor quickly denied the announcement, made on the floor of Congress by Victor Andres Garcia Belaunde, who then apologised for spreading erroneous information.

Luis Solari called Radioprogramas, Lima’s leading radio station, to deny the announcement of Paniagua’s death by Victor Andres Garcia Belaunde, a leader of Paniagua’s centrist Popular Action party.

“His situation has improved. He is alive,” Solari said.