Peru’s armed forces to support police in controlling security in Lima

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The government of President Castillo authorized the Peruvian Armed Forces to support the National Police in the control of internal security for 30 days, given the increase of organized crime in Lima and Callao, according to the highest resolution published on Tuesday.

The norm signed by the President and the Ministers of Defense and the Interior indicates that there is a significant increase in the crime rate in Lima and the neighboring port of Callao due to the presence of criminal organizations involved in illicit drug trafficking, illegal possession of weapons, robberies, and thefts.

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These crimes endanger the physical integrity of the citizens and have exceeded the operational capacity of the National Police, admitted the document.

The highest resolution clarified that the intervention of the Armed Forces does not imply the restriction, suspension, or effect on the fundamental rights enshrined in the Political Constitution, the laws, and the International Treaties on Human Rights to which Peru is a party.

The authorization, effective as of Wednesday, November 3, allows the armed forces to provide support in executing police operations in the regions of Lima and Callao, where a third of the national population is concentrated, for 30 days.

It added that the actions of the Armed Forces are aimed at contributing and guaranteeing the full enforcement of the right to personal freedom and security, freedom of transit on roads and highways, the right to peace, tranquility, the proper functioning of essential public services, and safeguarding vital critical points.

It remarked that the control of internal order remains in charge of the Peruvian National Police.

The highest resolution was signed by Castillo last Friday. It was published this Tuesday, one day after the demands of several sectors for the President to dispense with the controversial Minister of the Interior in the Cabinet.

Barranzuela is in the eye of the storm for allegedly having organized a party in his house when his office prohibited such activities this weekend, and the President of the Council of Ministers, Mirtha Vásquez, announced via Twitter that the corresponding decisions would be taken regarding this official.