The mayor of Peru's capital may have spoiled President Alan Garcia's plans to erect a huge statue of Jesus similar to Brazil's Christ the Redeemer on a hill overlooking Lima's Pacific coastline.

Lima mayor Susana Villaran said Mr Garcia did not ask her before announcing on Friday his intention to have Christ of the Pacific put up for a June 29 inauguration.

The statue will be 72 feet high and stand on a 49-foot base.

Ms Villaran has criticised its suitability and lack of originality - it resembles the famed Rio de Janeiro work.

She told reporters there are plenty of other places to put it besides in her coastal city, such as along the nearly completed Interoceanic road that will link Peruvian with Brazilian ports.

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