The President of the Republic, Keiko Fujimori, stated on Friday that her Government has begun regaining control of correctional facilities nationwide.
These remarks came after the top official inspected the entrance control center and new security equipment at El Milagro Prison in La Libertad region, as well as the results of the search operation at the facility and police actions carried out in various parts of Trujillo province.
In this regard, the Head of State warned of the need to expand prison infrastructure due to the overcrowding conditions she verified during her visit.
"El Milagro Prison has a capacity of 1,500 inmates but houses more than 6,000. This must also be addressed (…) We have been talking with the Minister of Defense and the Minister of Justice about swiftly building three or four housing units to expand the prison's capacity," Fujimori said.
"But, of course, under absolute control. This is the beginning of efforts to regain control of all prisons nationwide," she emphasized.
Within this framework, the top official announced that productive workshop programs will be promoted as part of the measures planned for the penitentiary establishment.
The President reported that the National Penitentiary Institute (INPE) has a new chief, adding that a new director has been appointed to El Milagro Prison as part of changes to prison administration.
After touring the aforementioned prison, the Head of State verified the facility's own machines had been out of service for three years.
She announced that they will be replaced.
In contrast, the top official underscored the operation of the control devices installed by her Government.
"Since the Armed Forces were deployed, visits have decreased by 50%. I imagine this is because visitors know they will be subject to checks," Fujimori said.
"Of course, we want family members to visit inmates, but they will no longer be allowed to bring in anything illegal," she added from the Peruvian National Police's Special Services Unit (USE) headquarters in La Libertad, where the report on the operation was presented.
Prison expansion under state of emergency
On September 5, the Government declared a 60-day state of emergency at five high-security prisons: Challapalca, Cochamarca, Miguel Castro Castro, Ancon I, and El Milagro.
The measure includes strengthening security inside the facilities and around their outer perimeters, with the participation of the police and support from the Armed Forces.
When asked by the press about the possibility of extending the state of emergency to other prisons, the President replied, "I think so."
She noted that joint intervention by the institutions involved is making it possible to introduce changes and strengthen discipline at these facilities.
During the working visit, the Head of State was accompanied by Ministers Rafael Belaunde (Defense), Cesar Astudillo (Interior), Ernesto Alvarez (Justice and Human Rights), Peruvian National Police General Commander Fredy Lopez, National Penitentiary Institute Chairman Abraham Lescano, La Libertad Region Governor Joana Cabrera, and regional authorities.
Unified command and elite forces
During her address at the National Police Special Services Unit (USE), the President highlighted the arrival of elite forces that are being deployed to the most dangerous areas of the country as part of efforts to combat criminal organizations.
"Elite forces have arrived and are being deployed to the most dangerous areas of our country," Fujimori stated.
"I thank our National Police and Armed Forces for their support and for understanding that today, to confront crime, this scourge that is taking the lives of so many Peruvian citizens, we must work together," she said.
In this context, the Head of State underscored the establishment of the Unified Command, which coordinates the joint intervention of both institutions.
"The Unified Command has been established, just as it was done to defeat terrorism. We will do the same now," she noted.
The top official called on other sectors to take part in this effort, particularly by providing technology and the logistical support required for operations.
"We must not only call on uniformed personnel. We also call on the private sector to help us by investing in the technology we lack, as well as on organized civil society and the three levels of government," Fujimori indicated.
The President reported that she had coordinated with La Libertad Region Governor Joana Cabrera to address the logistical needs of an Army battalion that will arrive in the region.
It is worth noting that, at the USE, the President led the presentation of a contingent of 890 agents from specialized police units who will reinforce operational efforts in La Libertad.
As part of this deployment, 250 law enforcement agents were transferred from Lima to Trujillo.
These agents belong to the Tactical Actions Sub-unit (SUAT), the National Special Operations Directorate (Dinoes), and the Special Response Group Against Organized Crime (Grecco), units specializing in high-risk interventions and operations against criminal organizations active at the national and transnational levels.
Call to the justice system
At another point, the Head of State called on the institutions responsible for administering justice, stating that law enforcement operations must be followed through in the corresponding legal proceedings.
"We will go after them and capture them. But I also call on the justice system to ensure that our men's efforts yield results. What is the point of having hundreds of people detained?" Fujimori said.
In this regard, the President insisted that those arrested must undergo the corresponding legal proceedings and be sentenced if found guilty.
"I urge the justice system to ensure that those we detain are prosecuted and subsequently sentenced," she emphasized.
The top official called on the media to continue scrutinizing the actions of authorities and recognize the work of those fighting crime within their respective areas of responsibility.
"Continue scrutinizing their actions, as you have been doing, and speak out, but also recognize the efforts of our soldiers, our police agents, as well as the prosecutors and judges who stand firm," she pointed out.
Subsequently, the President reaffirmed her determination to continue security operations and sent a message of firmness in the face of criminal organizations.
"Search operations will be constant, as will security sweeps. Criminal elements will surely attempt to intimidate us, but they are mistaken about this Government. We stand firm and united, and we will not stop until we restore peace and order in our country," Fujimori stated.
Official visit to El Salvador
When asked at a press conference about the authorization granted by Congress to travel to El Salvador, the Peruvian President thanked her Salvadoran counterpart, Nayib Bukele, for the invitation.
Likewise, the Head of State explained that the visit will take place on October 29 and 30.
The top official said the agenda will focus primarily on security issues.
"We will be able to visit the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), a prison with strict security measures where productive work is carried out," Fujimori indicated.
The agenda will include meetings on health, education, and trade.
In this regard, the President reported that work is underway on a future Free Trade Agreement between the two countries.
She added that the Peruvian delegation will include several State ministers.
"When I am in El Salvador, we will extend the corresponding invitation to President Nayib Bukele to visit our country as well," she announced.
Previous operations in Trujillo
On the eve of the President's arrival in Trujillo, law enforcement forces carried out a series of operations at various locations across the city, achieving significant results in the fight against crime.
As part of these operations, 13 people with outstanding arrest warrants were apprehended, US$42,000 allegedly linked to illegal mining was seized, three criminal gangs were dismantled, and five stolen vehicles were recovered.
Additionally, 34 people were arrested, and 200 foreign nationals were subjected to police checks, 60 of whom were in an irregular immigration situation: 50 Venezuelans, nine Colombians, and one Ecuadorian.
According to the information provided, the 60 foreign nationals found to be in an irregular immigration situation would be expelled from the country.
(END) NDP/HTC/VVS/MVB