René Cornejo

René Cornejo Diaz is a Peruvian politician who was Prime Minister of Peru from February to July 2014, following the resignation of César Villanueva. He resigned after a political scandal that involved his office. He was replaced by the Minister of Labor Ana Jara.

Early life and career

Cornejo was born on 6 January 1962 in Arequipa, Peru. He studied at National University of Engineering, Central American Technological University, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru and ESADE Business School. He has an engineering degree from the National University of Engineering and an MBA from ESAN Graduate School of Business and is Doctoral Candidate at ESADE Graduate School of Business Administration and Management. He has also served as executive director of ProInversion, the country's investment promotion enterprise.

Political career

Since President Ollanta Humala took office Cornejo has served as housing minister.

Prime minister

After the resignation of Prime Minister César Villanueva, he was appointed the replacement by the president on 24 February 2014. Other cabinet reshuffles included: Piero Ghezzi Solis replacing Gladys Triveño as Minister of Production; Eleodoro Mayorga Alba replacing Jorge Merino as Ministry of Energy and Mines; Jose Gallardo Ku as Minister of Housing; Carmen Omonte Durand replacing Ana Jara as Minister of Women and Vulnerable Populations; and Jara replacing Teresa Laos Caceres as Minister of Labor. He and his ministerial cabinet obtained the Congress vote of confidence on 17 March 2014 after two unsuccessful attempts.

Resignation

He resigned in July 2014 following an investigation report by Cuarto Poder alleging that an unnamed "close advisor" gave money to an informer to find potentially incriminating information on opposition Congressman Víctor Andrés García Belaúnde to discredit him.