Mirtha Esther Vásquez Chuquilín (born 31 March 1975) is a
Peru
, image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg
, image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg
, other_symbol = Great Seal of the State
, other_symbol_type = Seal (emblem), National seal
, national_motto = "Fi ...
vian attorney and politician who served as
prime minister of Peru
The president of the Council of Ministers of Peru ( es, link=no, presidente del Consejo de Ministros del Perú), informally called Premier (form of address) or Prime Minister, is the head of the cabinet as the most senior member of the Council ...
from 6 October 2021 to 31 January 2022. Previously, she briefly served in Congress for the complementary term between March 2020 and July 2021, representing the constituency of
Cajamarca
Cajamarca (), also known by the Quechua name, ''Kashamarka'', is the capital and largest city of the Cajamarca Region as well as an important cultural and commercial center in the northern Andes. It is located in the northern highlands of Peru ...
as an independent within the
Broad Front parliamentary caucus.
Early life and education
Born in the northern region of
Cajamarca
Cajamarca (), also known by the Quechua name, ''Kashamarka'', is the capital and largest city of the Cajamarca Region as well as an important cultural and commercial center in the northern Andes. It is located in the northern highlands of Peru ...
, Vásquez earned a law degree from
National University of Cajamarca
The National University of Cajamarca ( es, Universidad Nacional de Cajamarca), or UNC for short, is a major public university located in Cajamarca, Peru; capital of the department of Cajamarca Region, Cajamarca. The university was formally establ ...
and subsequently attained a master's degree in social management at the
Pontifical Catholic University of Peru
Pontifical Catholic University of Peru ( es, link=no, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, PUCP) is a private university in Lima, Peru. It was founded in 1917 with the support and approval of the Catholic Church, being the oldest private ...
.
Career
Vásquez has been a lecturer at her alma mater, the National University of Cajamarca. She has also served as an attorney and executive secretary for Grufides, a human rights and environment protection think-tank based in
Cajamarca
Cajamarca (), also known by the Quechua name, ''Kashamarka'', is the capital and largest city of the Cajamarca Region as well as an important cultural and commercial center in the northern Andes. It is located in the northern highlands of Peru ...
.
She also defended the Association for Human Rights (APRODEH), and served as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Coordinator of Human Rights. She was also a columnist for Noticias SER.
Elected to the
Peruvian Congress
The Congress of the Republic of Peru ( es, Congreso de la República) is the unicameral body that assumes legislative power in Peru.
Congress' composition is established by Chapter I of Title IV of the Constitution of Peru. Congress is compose ...
in the
2020 parliamentary election, Vásquez represented the
Cajamarca
Cajamarca (), also known by the Quechua name, ''Kashamarka'', is the capital and largest city of the Cajamarca Region as well as an important cultural and commercial center in the northern Andes. It is located in the northern highlands of Peru ...
constituency and the
Broad Front coalition as an independent. Following
Manuel Merino
Manuel Arturo Merino de Lama (born 20 August 1961) is a Peruvian politician who briefly served as President of Peru for six days between 10 and 15 November 2020. He also served as the President of Congress from 16 March 2020 to 15 November 202 ...
's resignation as
President of Peru
The president of Peru ( es, link=no, presidente del Perú), officially called the president of the Republic of Peru ( es, link=no, presidente de la República del Perú), is the head of state and head of government of Peru. The president is th ...
on 15 November 2020, she was elected First Vice President of Congress, as part of the congressional list led by
Francisco Sagasti
Francisco Rafael Sagasti Hochhausler OSP ( (); born 10 October 1944) is a Peruvian engineer, academic, and author who served as the President of Peru from November 2020 to July 2021.
Sagasti has worked as an advisor for economic development a ...
. As Sagasti took over the presidency via constitutional succession as President of Congress, Vásquez served ad interim in the position.
On 6 October 2021, Vásquez was appointed as the prime minister of Peru by president
Pedro Castillo
José Pedro Castillo Terrones (; born 19 October 1969) is a Peruvian politician, former elementary school teacher, and union leader who served as the president of Peru, President of Peru from 28 July 2021 to 7 December 2022. On 7 December 2022, ...
. She is the sixth woman to hold the office. She resigned on 31 January 2022, precipitating a cabinet reshuffle by Castillo.
External links
Official Site
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vásquez, Mirtha
1975 births
Living people
Pontifical Catholic University of Peru alumni
Peruvian women lawyers
Peruvian columnists
Peruvian women columnists
Members of the Congress of the Republic of Peru
People from Cajamarca
21st-century Peruvian politicians
21st-century Peruvian women politicians
Prime Ministers of Peru
21st-century Peruvian lawyers
Women members of the Congress of the Republic of Peru
Women prime ministers