Fernando Zevallos
Fernando Melciades Zevallos Gonzalez, also known as Fernando Melciades Zevallos Gonzales, is the founder and owner of what was Peru's largest airline, Aero Continente. The airline operated from 1992 until 2004, but was forced to close that year after Mr Zevallos was added to America's list of drug kingpins and Aero Continente placed on a blacklist of companies with links to drug traffickers. The moves prevented American companies from doing business with the airline. This meant that Aero Continente could neither buy spare parts for its US-built planes or insure them. It quickly collapsed.
Zevallos was born on July 8, 1957, in the province Marceles Caceres, Department of San Martin, Peru. He graduated from the Peruvian Air Force Academy, becoming a pilot. In 1976 and following his father's death, he retired from the Air Force to look after his father's estate. He had inherited a considerable amount of money.
In 1978, the Peruvian government began a campaign of tax incentives for companies that invested in the Peruvian jungle. The Zevallos family decided to incorporate an air taxi company called TAUSA, with the aim of offering aerial services to the villages of the Peruvian jungle which were not served by suitable terrestrial transport. The company was not successful and Zevallos emigrated to the United States.
Related websites
Charges presented against Fernando Zevallos
"US files its first indictment under Drug Kingpin Act"
Read the full article about Fernando Zevallos
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