stated on Wednesday that the amnesty law for members of the Armed Forces, the Peruvian National Police (PNP), and the self-defense committees must be a message of peace, not of divisiveness in the country.
"Let this amnesty be a message of peace, not of divisiveness. It is time to turn the page and close this tragic and bloody chapter marked by terrorism," Mrs. Boluarte stated.
"Today, Peru is a different country —a developing nation experiencing steady growth. We have risen with dignity from decades of suffering," she added.
Mrs. Boluarte participated in the ceremony marking the signing of the amnesty law for members of the Armed Forces, the Peruvian National Police, and the self-defense committees who took part in the fight against terrorism between 1980 and 2000.
Within this framework, the Head of State said that it is a historic day for the country.
The top official said that justice was being served and that those men and women who, with courage and dedication, confronted terrorism —which for two decades had attempted to take away freedom, destroy institutions, and spread fear across the country— were being honored.
"Many of these men and women gave their lives in defense of the peace we enjoy today. Others survived but carried for years the burden of endless trials, unjust accusations, and a pain that affected not only them but also their families," she stated.
The Head of State said that with this enactment, the Executive and Legislative Branches recognize the members of the Armed Forces, the PNP, and the self-defense committees who took part in the fight against terrorism.
She added that they are being "restored the dignity that should never have been questioned."
"With this historic amnesty, Peru is honoring its defenders and firmly rejecting any internal or external interference. We cannot allow history to be distorted, for perpetrators to attempt to portray themselves as victims, or for the true defenders of the homeland to be labeled as enemies of the nation they swore to protect," Mrs. Boluarte asserted.
The top official clarified that, in this case, actions were taken in accordance with national and international legal frameworks and human rights, since "it cannot be accepted that men aged 70 or 80 who fulfilled their constitutional duty to defend the rule of law continue bearing judicial chains."
"This President, this government, is putting an end to these acts of injustice through coordinated work with the Congress of the Republic," Mrs. Boluarte stated.
“Terrorism left us more than 70,000 dead, thousands missing, orphanhood, and poverty, but thanks to the courage of our soldiers, police, and brave farmers organized in self-defense committees, we managed to restore peace and save democracy," she added.
The President also pointed out that this law is based on the authority granted by the Constitution to the Congress of the Republic to grant amnesties, a power that —she said— has been exercised responsibly and allows for correcting imbalances in the judicial system and safeguarding fundamental rights.
"Peru is a sovereign country, and this sovereignty is exercised across all branches of the (Peruvian) State and throughout our entire territory," Mrs. Boluarte stated.
“Sovereignty emanates from the people and is enshrined in our Constitution. Just, fair, and appropriate Peruvian laws that seek unity, peace, and national reconciliation are upheld because we are an independent, autonomous, and free country," she noted.
Within this framework, the top official said that Peru is and will remain a country that deeply respects and defends human rights, as well as those who defended the homeland by courageously confronting terrorism.
"We move forward with hope toward development that reaches out to every corner of our homeland, every region, every province, every family,” Mrs. Boluarte asserted.
“Let us not allow disunity to block this path. Because when Peruvians are united, we are capable of achieving great challenges, great things," she concluded.