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[00:01.20] Peru's Andes Mountains might be home to the oldest person ever to have lived — at the age of 124.

[00:13.15] The South American country’s government has claimed that a man named Marcelino Abad Tolentino from the central area of Huánuco was born in 1900.

[00:30.42] If the claim is true, he would be the oldest, independently verified human on earth.

[00:39.98] Officials said in a statement that Abad “developed a healthy way of life and inner peace, reflected in his good health and friendly personality.”

[00:55.39] As a result, they said, "This allowed him, with resilience and skill, to overcome 12 decades of life and on April 5th he just blew out 124 candles."

[01:13.97] Peruvian officials say they are helping Abad to contact Guinness World Records for independent verification.

[01:26.20] In a statement, the organization told Reuters, "Guinness World Records receives many applications from individuals who claim to be the oldest living person."

[01:43.72] Verifying the claim would involve official documents and other evidence being carefully studied by a team of experts to "prove their achievement beyond doubt."

[01:59.93] Guinness World Records currently lists Britain’s John Tinniswood, a 111-year-old as the oldest living man.

[02:12.41] The organization lists 117-year-old Maria Branyas Morera of Spain as the old living woman.

[02:25.42] As for the oldest living person ever, that record belongs to Jeanne Louise Calment of France.

[02:36.32] She was born on February 21, 1875, and died on August 4, 1997, after living 122 years and 164 days.

[02:56.50] Abad was born in the small town of Chaglla.

[03:01.81] He lived quietly until the Peruvian government identified him in 2019 and provided him with a pension.

[03:13.23] Abad says his secrets to living a long life include a diet rich in fruits and lamb meat.

[03:24.14] He also likes to chew coca leaves, a tradition in Peru's Andean communities.

[03:33.69] The information comes from the pension program that Abad is a part of.

[03:41.66] On April 5, Abad celebrated his 124th birthday with a cake bearing his likeness at a home for senior citizens where he now lives.