Peruvian Consulate

[oasis812005]

I just found out that there is a peruvian consulate in Tulsa. Is there a high number of peruvians living in the tulsa area? I find it odd.

http://www.peruvianembassy.us/consulates-honorary-tulsa.php

[Conan71]

Hmmm, that's fascinating.  I knew some Reinoso's growing up.  It's entirely possible that someone could be kin with someone high up in the Peruvian government and they created an honorary consulate position just because they like him or perhaps there are some Peruvian business interests here.  I know the Colombians were pretty heavily vested in whatever tile industry we have/had in Tulsa.

[oasis812005]

taken from wikipedia:

Some consuls are not career officials of the represented state at all; some are locally-engaged staff with the nationality of the sending country (see Chapter 1, Section 1, Article 22 of convention), and in smaller cities, or in cities that are very distant from full-time diplomatic missions, a foreign government which feels that some form of representation is nevertheless desirable may appoint a person who has not hitherto been part of their diplomatic service to fulfill this role. In some instances, the honorary consul may not be a citizen of the sending country, and may well combine the job with their own (often commercial) private activities, in which case they are usually given the title of honorary consul. Many members of the public are not aware that honorary consuls are not full-time diplomats. Graham Greene used this position as the title of his 1973 novel The Honorary Consul.

So what commercial interests would the government of Peru have in Tulsa?

[Conan71]

Hard to say.  This is all speculation: possibly military contracting for aircraft repair with Nordam, selling coffee beans to Executive Coffee Service, they might be the majority owner in a large commercial laundry (I didn't mean that euphemistically).  Maybe they have a lot of money in BOK, or something like that.

There are a lot of 50 to 100 employee businesses here in town no one ever thinks of.  If the Peruvian Gov't had a good size stake in one of them, it might be worthwhile to have a third party oversee it.  

Or it might just be that the local honorary consulate has an uncle high up in the Peruvian gov't and they decided to give him a title and a nominal salary just for being a good nephew.  As the title says it's an "honorary consulate".

Googling the address, that appears to be the residence of Luis Reinoso M.D.  Ostensibly the patriarch of the family I know.  There's an email address listed on the embassy web site, why not drop Dr. Reinoso an email and ask what the local consulate does?

[Wrinkle]

There was once a significant oil industry represented in Peru by US Oil companies, and Tulsa was once a leader in the Oil industry.

Doesn't really explain today's presence, but when the Dr. was a child, perhaps.

[Oil Capital]

It most likely has to do with honoring that particular person, rather than anything to do with commercial ties with Tulsa.  I believe Honorary Consulates are just that.  Honorary and nothing more.  If you go to the Peruvian embassy website linked above, you will find that when seeking consular services, Oklahomans are directed to the Consul General in Houston.

[CRZ]

I have been friends with one of his sons for years.  I am pretty sure that it is an honorary title without much power.  I will email to verify though.

[FOTD]

Peruvian flakes were big in the 70's.....are they still?

[dbacks fan]

quote:Originally posted by FOTD

Peruvian flakes were big in the 70's.....are they still?

"Excuse me sir, what is that white substance on you upper lip, and don't tell me it's Zink oxide from your day at the pool."[]