Mayor Rafael López Aliaga Defends Lima-Chosica Rail Project Amid Controversy
The mayor of Lima, Rafael López Aliaga, launched a vehement defense of the proposed rail project connecting Lima and Chosica, fiercely criticizing the Minister of Transport and Communications (MTC), César Sandoval, as well as various sectors opposing the initiative. His comments came during the official unveiling of the first batch of trains at the port of Callao, marking a significant milestone in the Cercanías train project.
At this event, the arrival of 45 two-story panoramic cars along with 11 locomotives was celebrated, all earmarked for the future Cercanías train project—a vital initiative spearheaded by the Metropolitan Municipality of Lima (MML). López Aliaga expressed his frustration over opposition to the project, stating, “The core issue in Peru lies with corrupt individuals who want to rob people of their joy. These leftists, the Terruca left, have one mission: to destroy the lives of the people.” He went on to imply that external influences, including funding from authoritarian regimes in Venezuela and Cuba, are working against the progress of Peru.
The mayor vehemently defended the rail system’s viability, countering critiques about the presence of street vendors hindering operations, stating, “They can move; it’s that simple. They have done nothing but lie.” This rebuttal reflects a broader frustration with perceived misinformation that he believes is obstructing essential advancements in infrastructure.
Further, López Aliaga criticized MTC Minister Sandoval for expressing doubts regarding the infrastructure’s capacity to support passenger trains. “If the road exists and we transport minerals from Oroya to Callao daily, this is a nonsensical argument,” he asserted. The mayor also called on President Dina Boluarte and Premier Eduardo Arana to fulfill their promises of support for the project.
López Aliaga emphasized, “I have held my tongue for over 15 days. If you want to engage in politics, we will go that route, but do not go against the happiness of the people.” He expressed confidence that the necessary infrastructure is ready for operations, despite skepticism from experts and government officials. “These trains have been operational since December in affluent areas of California. Do not tell me it cannot work here,” he added passionately.
The MML has announced that on July 14, they will present the first lot of the project, including 45 wagons and 10 locomotives. The event will be held in the Park of La Muralla and promises live musical performances from well-known artists such as Rubí Palomino and Deivis Orosco.
Despite the optimism expressed by López Aliaga, Minister Sandoval reiterated his position, confirming he would not attend the event. He emphasized that the project currently lacks adequate operational conditions, stating, “The MTC aims for better connectivity and quality transport.” He cautioned that the proposed plan is far from being implemented, citing issues related to safety measures and station adequacy, questioning the readiness for public transportation.