Ex-Fujimori minister appointed Peru's new tax chief

César Luna Victoria, a lawyer with past ministerial experience under Alberto Fujimori, has been appointed the new Superintendent of Peru's National Customs and Tax Administration (Sunat). The government of President Keiko Fujimori announced the appointment through a supreme resolution published in the official gazette El Peruano.

Luna Victoria's political ties include serving as part of Keiko Fujimori's technical team during the 2011 presidential campaign. His government service dates back to Alberto Fujimori's administration (1990-2000), where he held positions as minister of Industry, Tourism, Integration, and International Trade Negotiations (Mitinci) in 1999 and later as minister of Fisheries until 2000. During his tenure, he was involved in trade negotiations with Ecuador following the 1998 peace agreement.

The new Sunat chief also has experience in regional economic bodies, having served as president of the Andean Community Commission (CAN), director of the Andean Development Corporation (CAF), and director of the Commission for the Promotion of Private Investment (Copri), which oversaw privatizations in the 1990s. Clara Urteaga was also appointed as the new president of the Tax Tribunal of the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

These changes come as the administration, which took office on July 28, prepares to request legislative powers from Parliament. The government intends to introduce reforms to the tax, customs, and trade systems. Local media report that proposed changes include adjustments to the tax treatment of interest, the tax burden on foreign dividends, tax credits for hiring young people, and simplification of foreign trade procedures.