Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, a septuagenarian former U.S. citizen and Wall Street mogul, is starting weekly cabinet meetings with 20 minute Wednesday workouts.
Kuczynski, 77, was inaugurated on July 28 after a historically close election. The Peruvian leader had his first public workout session on Wednesday with his cabinet ministers in front of the Government Palace.
President of the Council of Ministers Fernando Zavala, the equivalent to the Chief of Staff, explained to reporters during the exercise routine, “Sports are not only about health, but it also foments important values that help us become better citizens. Values such as: work, discipline, perseverance. An effective policy must begin by example, that is why today, the Ministers of State, will give you a concrete example of our commitment to sports.”
Next up to bat to explain the politicos working out was Health Minister Patricia Garcia who said in part, “the scientific evidence is overwhelming, physical activity: maintains health, prevents illnesses, helps physical fitness and mental well-being. It’s not just a question of losing weight, even though it is true that in the country we have statistics that show that around 53 percent of the population is overweight.”
The 77-year-old president, known as PPK, said, “we want to promote health. Mens sana in corpore sano, like the Latin proverb says,” meaning, “a healthy mind in a healthy body.” Kuczynski was an investment banker for many years, working as a Managing Director in New York City with CS First Boston, now known as Credit Suisse. The Latin American leader held dual U.S. citizenship from 1999 to 2015 but renounced his U.S. citizenship to run for president.
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