Foxely confirms internal investigation into Chilean embassy in Peru

To see international photos, click here

SANTIAGO.- The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alejandro Foxely, has confirmed that an internal investigation will be performed at the Chilean embassy in Peru after the Chilean ambassador in Lima, Cristián Barros, detected a financial irregularity while revising bills to hand over to his new replacement, Fabio Vío.

Foxely stated that "the Chilean ambassador to Peru, Cristián Barros, has recently informed us that he has discovered a financial irregularity that could have been performed by an official. We have given him all facilities and authority necessary to thoroughly investigate the case".

The minister added that if anyone is found responsible, the case will be taken to the corresponding court "and we will be very harsh about this".

The incident was revealed by the online newspaper "El Mostrador", which stated that the head of accounting at the embassy, Ricardo Harboe Gaete, "altered accounting documents that represent a significant liability for the Chilean treasury".

According to the periodical, the financial losses could total some 100 thousand dollars, although the amount has yet to be confirmed by Foxely, who has said that it is up to Ambassador Barros to define the figure.