Nuria Esparch

Nuria del Rocío Esparch Fernández (born 19 January 1969) is a Peruvian lawyer and politician who had served as the country's Defence Minister from November 2020 to July 2021.

Early life and education Esparch was born in Lima on 19 January 1969. At the age of 14, Esparch was denied admission to a naval school, as "no room for women in the navy". She studied law at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru. From 2008 until February 2011, she was Executive President of the National Civil Service Authority (SERVIR).

From 2014 until 2018, Esparch was Manager of Institutional Relations for construction company Graña y Montero. Later that month, she reported that 10,000 members of the country's Armed Forces were being trained to deliver COVID-19 vaccines as soon as they become available.

Awards and honors Esparch has been given the highest civilian distinctions from the Armed Forces of Peru.