Peru Congress cuts S/200 million from supplementary credit, halting Central Highway start

The Permanent Commission of Peru’s Congress approved a supplemental credit law authorizing up to 9.596 billion soles of additional spending. During the vote, the commission removed the S/200 million allocation that the Executive had earmarked for the inaugural segment of the New Central Highway, which includes the San Juan de Pariachi tunnel, project supervision and land‑release activities. The cut leaves the first phase of the multibillion‑sol road, intended to link Lima with Junín and reduce travel times, without financing unless alternative resources are found. Congressman Edgard Reymundo denounced the removal as a “betrayal” of more than ten million Peruvians awaiting the project, warning it could trigger renewed social protests. While the highway lost its funding, the broader supplemental credit package continues to finance hundreds of other infrastructure, education and municipal projects across the country.