Vizcarra says he won't resign over audio release

Peruvian President Martín Vizcarra said on Thursday that he will not resign following the controversial audio published by a legislator in which he is heard preparing his defence for an ongoing investigation into the hiring of an acquaintance of his in a ministry.

"I am not going to resign; I am not going to go away. On March 23, 2018, I assumed a commitment with all Peruvians to finish the presidential mandate, and I will do it," Vizcarra said in a message on public television.

The audios presented by the legislator Edgar Alarcón - who is under investigation by the public prosecutor's office for crimes of corruption and falsification of documents - shows conversations in which the president tries to recall the number of visits of an event organiser called Richard Cisneros, who Vizcarra supposedly met before he became President.

Vizcarra is not under investigation because his position protects him, but officials around him are under investigation and the consequences of hiring Cisneros, could undermine his popularity and anti-corruption image.

Representatives of various parties presented a motion of vacancy against President Vizcarra that will be put to vote on Friday.