Peru Appoints Berthin Gómez Vela as Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism

Berthin Gómez Vela was named Peru’s Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, according to reports from Lima. He replaces José Reyes Llanos, who resigned last week following disputes with Parliament regarding the ratification of a trade treaty with Brazil.

Gómez Vela was sworn in by interim president José María Balcázar during an unannounced ceremony at the Palacio de Gobierno. The event was attended by the cabinet of ministers.

Why did José Reyes Llanos resign?

Reyes resigned last Wednesday due to disagreements with Parliament over the Economic and Trade Deepening Agreement with Brazil. In a letter addressed to Balcázar, Reyes stated his departure was “strictly linked to professional convictions and institutional principles” regarding international relations and strategic decisions.

The conflict involved a divide over the treaty’s terms. According to a letter signed by former ministers a week ago, the Executive branch wanted to include anti-corruption clauses in the agreement. Meanwhile, a sector of the Legislature pressured the government to accelerate ratification without those clauses.

Did You Know? The push for anti-corruption measures follows a history of systemic corruption in Peru; the Odebrecht scandal led to money laundering convictions for former presidents Alejandro Toledo and Ollanta Humala.

Who is Berthin Gómez Vela?

Gómez Vela is a lawyer with extensive experience in state administration. He previously served as the head of the National Commission for Development and Life Without Drugs (Devida) and as the technical secretary for the Decentralized Transport Infrastructure Special Project-Provías Descentralizado.

His corporate and legal experience includes serving as the general legal advisor for the National Fisheries Development Fund (Fondepes). He also held positions as an independent director for the state oil company Petroperú and as a board member of the Peruvian Corporation of Airports and Commercial Aviation (Corpac).

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the appointment of a lawyer with deep experience in state-run enterprises like Petroperú and Corpac suggests the administration may be prioritizing legal precision to navigate the current deadlock with Parliament over treaty clauses.

What happens next for the Brazil trade agreement?

The new minister could now attempt to resolve the stalemate between the Executive and the Legislature. A possible next step involves determining if the anti-corruption clauses demanded by the administration can be integrated without further delaying the agreement’s entry into force.

Berthin Gómez Vela sworn in as new Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism

The political climate remains sensitive to corruption risks. The source notes that the Odebrecht scandal not only convicted Toledo and Humala but also saw the processing of Pedro Pablo Kuczynski and the late Alan García, who committed suicide before his arrest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who appointed Berthin Gómez Vela?
Interim president José María Balcázar appointed him during a ceremony at the Palacio de Gobierno in Lima.

What caused the dispute over the Brazil trade treaty?
According to former ministers, the Executive sought to include anti-corruption clauses, while some in Parliament wanted to ratify the agreement quickly without them.

What roles did Berthin Gómez Vela hold before becoming minister?
He was the head of Devida, a technical secretary for Provías Descentralizado, a legal advisor for Fondepes, a director at Petroperú, and a board member of Corpac.

Do you believe anti-corruption clauses should be mandatory in all international trade agreements?