President of the Republic Keiko Fujimori expressed her profound joy at the confirmation of Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming visit to Peru, highlighting that his arrival represents a blessing for the country amidst the adversities it is currently facing.
“We have received with deep joy the confirmation that His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, will be conducting a tour of South America. And, of course, Peru—a country he holds dear to his heart—will welcome him with great joy,” she stated.
“For us, it is a source of comfort—a gift bestowed upon us in the midst of the adversity we are beginning to confront. We welcome the Pope’s arrival as a great blessing,” she added.
The Supreme Pontiff’s trip had been in doubt following a surgical procedure to remove a pulmonary adenocarcinoma.
However, the operation was successful, and according to his physicians, Pope Leo XIV will not require any further treatment.
Yesterday, the Holy See confirmed that the Pope’s tour—covering Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru—will proceed according to the original schedule.
Combating crime
Separately, when asked about the progress of her administration, the President noted that a formal assessment of her government’s performance would be conducted upon reaching the 100-day mark.
Nevertheless, she highlighted the measures taken to confront criminal organizations through the coordinated efforts of various state institutions.
“We are striking hard against criminal organizations through the Unified Command,” she asserted.
As part of these efforts, she pointed to the results of a simultaneous operation carried out yesterday in various penitentiary facilities, which involved the National Police, the Armed Forces, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, and technical teams from the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC).
“We have managed to take down 42 antennas in four prisons. This is an initiative that has begun with great momentum. Significant arrests have been made, and we will continue with these efforts,” she emphasized.
Preparation for El Niño
Regarding preventive measures for the El Niño phenomenon, the president reported that cleanup operations have been carried out along the channels of the country’s major rivers, as part of efforts to reduce risks associated with heavy rainfall.
In this context, she stressed that preparation requires the joint participation of authorities, the public, and the private sector—the latter of which she thanked for its collaboration.
“The channels of the most important rivers have been cleared. But I also want to make an appeal to the public: this is a collective preparation effort,” she noted.
Furthermore, she stated that the Minister of Agrarian Development and Irrigation, Marco Vinelli, is leading the response to emergencies caused by heavy rainfall and forest fires.
In this regard, President Fujimori expressed her gratitude for the work of firefighters, forest brigades, the Armed Forces, and organized citizens. She also acknowledged the support from Chile, whose president, José Antonio Kast, sent a helicopter that assisted in firefighting efforts.
“Four additional fires broke out yesterday, and they have already been brought under control. We remain fully engaged in this effort; it is a coordinated operation across the entire country,” she said.
School discipline and conduct
Regarding education, the head of state announced that new preventive and disciplinary measures are being adopted to address issues of misconduct and violence in schools, through a set of regulations currently awaiting final approval.
“A new disciplinary code has been released for public review. I know it is stringent, but it is necessary for our country. Additional preventive and punitive measures are being implemented,” she affirmed.
In this regard, Minister of Education José Antonio Chang reported that his ministry received approximately 634 suggestions over the last 15 days, which are currently being evaluated for potential inclusion in the regulatory document.
“We are confident that the regulations will be approved before the end of the month and, as the President has indicated, they will be sufficiently effective to penalize those who commit infractions,” he stated.
The Minister of Education further noted that several schools have already begun implementing provisions concerning personal appearance and disciplinary sanctions, even before the official publication of the new regulations. “Little by little, we are recovering what was lost over the last 15 years: discipline, order, and respect for authority,” he maintained.
Finally, Minister Chang estimated that the document would be ready for publication and official enactment in the coming days.
The president made these statements during a press conference, following her participation in the groundbreaking ceremony for the new facilities at Educational Institution No. 1211 "José María Arguedas Altamirano," located in the district of Santa Anita.
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(END) NDP/CCR / MDV
Published: 10/27/2026