announced on Friday that the Executive Branch will request legislative powers from Congress to combat rising citizen insecurity.
"We will probably request legislative powers this week because we have identified a gap in criminal legislation," Balcazar said in an interview with Exitosa radio station.
The Head of State argued that both the Criminal Enforcement Code and the Criminal Procedure Code contain shortcomings and must be amended to strengthen efforts against crime.
"We are analyzing this issue to determine whether we can leave guiding principles for the next government to improve the country's prisons; this is a problem inherited from flaws in the design of the Criminal Enforcement Code and the Criminal Procedure Code," he stated.
Separately, the top official reaffirmed his administration's intention to unblock the Southern Gas Pipeline project, which has remained stalled since 2017.
"We are advancing several highly important agreements for the south. We will likely unlock the Southern Gas Pipeline this week," he said.
The president emphasized that major national projects must continue, noting the importance of engaging in dialogue with candidates who advance to the runoff.
"We will assess how to reach consensus on large-scale projects that involve significant public indebtedness so that the next administration can govern while addressing these major demands," he indicated.
Amid the ongoing vote count, the Head of State urged citizens to remain calm and await the people's will as expressed at the ballot box.
Balcazar added that no decision has yet been made regarding the purchase of F-16 Block 70 fighter jets.
He did not rule out that the matter could be handled by the next government.