Lima, Peru

Overview:

Peru's rich and varied heritage includes the ancient Incan capital of Cuzco and the lost city of Machu Picchu plus, spectacular scenery, including Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake. A growing number of visitors are being drawn to its variety of attractions.  The country has been experiencing an economic boom. Foreign investors, attracted by the government and encouraged by favorable conditions, have been keen to get involved in exploiting the country's mineral wealth, sometimes in the face of local resistance. A left-wing primary school teacher with no experience of national politics, Pedro Castillo beat conservative candidate Keiko Fujimori in a very close contest in 2021. He pledged to carry out radical constitutional changes as well as economic policies for the benefit of the poor but has since moderated his rhetoric. Peru has become the world's leading producer of cocaine. 

Source:  BBC Country Profile

American Embassy Lima:

The inspection took place in Lima, Peru, from January 26 to February 23, 2001.   Our team leader was John T. McCarthy.  John was Harvard educated and served as Ambassador to Lebanon (1988-90) and Tunisia (1991-94).  He retired to Woodbury, Connecticut.  He was on the Board of Save the Children.  He is married to well-known artist Marija Pavlovich McCarthy.  The deputy was Richele Keller.  Other team members were Douglas V. Ellice, Jr (CONS), Edward W. Linhart (MGMT), Paul H. Tyson (POL), Thomas F. Foulger, Joseph Lahnstein (DS), Paul O’Brien, John Taladay, and Stephen Tomchik. This was my first inspection with the OIG.  The other senior management inspector was not that helpful in terms of assisting me with what to review in Financial Management and Human Resources.  I just followed the administrative guidelines.   I learned much more from Richele particularly with writing up findings and recommendations.   The DCM was Roberta Jacobson a South American specialist who went on to become the Ambassador to Mexico (2016-18) and who was recently named by President Biden as the Coordinator for the Southern Border.  The Management Counselor was Elizabeth Hinson a very sharp officer.  I don't remember who the FMO was but the senior LE Staff Financial Specialist, Hedy Saria, was very competent and basically ran the day-to-day operations.  The HRO was Bernie Garcia who felt that Hinson was a micro-manager. 

Findings:

The embassy compound was new having been built in 1995 and since had increased by 60 American staff.  A new USAID building was under construction on the compound and scheduled to be completed in 2002.   There were issues with the lack of adequate parking, shortage of housing and the Ambassador’s residence.  In terms of administrative services there were some redundancies in the delivery of services between the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development which needed to be clarified and eliminated.    

There was confusion regarding participation of Locally Employed (LE) Staff participation in the local government health plan which was referred to the Department’s Legal Advisor for a legal opinion.   Overtime payments to LE Staff were excessive because there was no requirement to approve in advance as required by regulations.

In the area of Financial Management the embassy used the Suspense Deposit Account for unauthorized purposes that required special authorization from the Bureau of Financial Management and Policy. 

Highlights:

Having drinks with Doug, Richele and Paul

The team got along pretty well but only a few of us got together nightly for dinner. I was surprised that some members actually brought food in their luggage and didn't eat out much.  I guess they wanted to save as much per diem as possible. Most of the team members made the trip to Machu Pichu but, unfortunately, since I had the incident with my heart in 2000 I was afraid to make the hike to an altitude as high as 13,776 ft.  Also, regret not going on a trip to Iguazu falls.       

• First taste of Ceviche

• Happy hour at the Costa Verde on the Beach Road

• Walking Mira Flores district

• Watching the Super Bowl at the Marriott hotel

Favorite Italian Restaurant:

La Trattoria di Mambrino 

Calle Bonilla 106, Miraflores, Lima, Peru

 Best Ceviche

 Pescados Capitales

 La Mar 1337, Miraflores

 This lunch-only cevicheria serves the freshest fish   in original combinations.  Their classic ceviche de   pescado is to die for.    

                                                                         

                          Lima Skyline                                

Above Beach Road

Plaza de Armas where Francisco Pizarro founded Lima bordered by the Government Palace

                                     

Basilica Cathedral of Lima

          

       

 

The Ravens pounded the Giants 34-7 behind a furious defensive effort, forcing five turnovers and holding New York to 152 yards to win their first NFL championship.  Ray Lewis was the MVP.