What started as an ordinary political day in Lima quickly turned into a national scandal when a photograph surfaced showing a Peruvian congresswoman being pampered by her own adviser.
The image has stirred outrage across the country — and could soon lead to serious consequences.
The Photo That Sparked Public Anger
A now-viral picture shows 67-year-old MP Lucinda Vásquez lounging on a sofa, chatting on the phone, while her adviser, Edward Rengifo Pezo, kneels beside her, carefully trimming her toenails.
The moment, which appeared to have been taken inside her office at the Santos Atahualpa building, has shocked Peruvians who accused her of humiliating her staff and misusing state resources.
The controversy grew even louder after reports from the TV program Cuarto Poder claimed that Vásquez often assigned personal tasks to her employees — including asking them to prepare her breakfast at home.
The Congresswoman’s Denial and Defense
Vásquez has dismissed the allegations, insisting the photo’s circulation is part of a revenge campaign orchestrated by disgruntled former employees.
In a statement, she said:
“I categorically reject any attempt at manipulation through the misuse of information that seeks to distort my parliamentary work.
This is revenge against me.”
She argued that the incident is an “unprecedented attack” designed to create panic among the public and damage her reputation.
The congresswoman urged citizens “not to be deceived” by what she called “unsubstantiated publications” that only seek to confuse and mislead the public.
Adviser Says He Acted Out of Compassion
In an unexpected twist, the former adviser involved in the photo, Edward Rengifo Pezo, came forward to explain his actions.
Speaking on Ampliación de Noticias, he claimed cutting the congresswoman’s toenails wasn’t an act of servitude but rather an “act of humanity.”
He said Vásquez was in poor health at the time — reportedly battling cancer — and that he considered what he did to be a form of “first aid.”
His statement, however, has done little to calm public outrage.
Ethics Committee Weighs Possible Punishment
The Peruvian Congress Ethics Committee is now considering whether to open a formal investigation into Vásquez’s behavior.
Lawmakers are debating whether her actions could amount to a misuse of state resources, a charge that could lead to suspension or even criminal penalties.
Congress president Fernando Rospigliosi condemned the incident as degrading and unacceptable.
“It is a humiliation for the employees of the Congress of the Republic.
This should not happen, and those who commit this type of act should be sanctioned,” he said, calling for the Ethics Commission to take immediate action.
Allegations of Nepotism and a Deeper Political Crisis
Adding to the controversy, local media revealed that Vásquez has also allegedly hired three of her great-nephews to work in her congressional office — raising fresh concerns about nepotism.
The scandal comes at a time when Peru’s political scene is already reeling from instability.
Earlier in October, Congress voted to impeach President Dina Boluarte amid corruption allegations and mounting public protests, leaving the nation’s leadership in turmoil once again.
A Growing Sense of Disillusionment
For many Peruvians, the pedicure scandal feels like another sign of how far trust in their government has eroded.
With ethics investigations pending and a deeply divided parliament, the country now watches to see whether accountability — or more excuses — will come next.