Biography

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Mercedes Aráoz became Peru’s Prime Minister under former President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski from 2017 to 2018. 

Aráoz was born in 1961 in Lima. She obtained her Licentiate and Bachelor in Economics from the Universidad del Pacifico, Lima, Peru and is certified as an Ontological Coach by the Newfield Network, Chile. She concluded doctoral studies and obtained the Master’s Degree in Economics by the University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida.
 
As a consultant, she has worked with various international organizations such as the World Bank, and United Nations Conference for Trade and Development, the Organization of American States,  and the Development Bank of Latin America. 

She has served as Minister of International Trade and Tourism (2006-2009), Minister of Production (2009), and as the first female Minister of Economy and Finance (2009‐2010).

Ms. Aráoz has been Professor and member of the Board of Trustees at the Universidad del Pacífico in Lima and at the Diplomatic Academy of Peru, researching and teaching courses on international economy, economic integration, international trade policy and negotiations and public finance.

In April 2016, Aráoz was elected as a Congresswoman for 2016-2021. In June 2016, Aráoz was elected as the Second Vice President of Peru in the administration of Pedro Pablo Kuczynski and served until 2021. Currently, she is a member of the Executive Board of the Global Crop Trust and a member of Friends of Multilateralism Group.