Mirtha Vásquez

Mirtha Esther Vásquez Chuquilín (born 31 March 1975) is a Peruvian attorney and politician who served as prime minister of Peru 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 as an independent within the Broad Front parliamentary caucus.

Early life and education Born in the northern region of Cajamarca, Vásquez earned a law degree from National University of Cajamarca and subsequently attained a master's degree in social management at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru.

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. 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. She is the sixth woman to hold the office. She resigned on 31 January 2022, precipitating a cabinet reshuffle by Castillo.

Following her tenure in the Castillo government, she participated in political commentary, with the Washington Post describing her as "one of the few seen as being genuinely committed to democracy and the rule of law" in Peru.